WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

Thanks for that Peter. I was aware of the earlier technology but didn't know there was renewed interest in it, Fascinating.... I still don't fully understand how it works......

[PanBiker]

Waiting for a reply from an Ebay seller. I ordered a combination oil pourer/sprayer on the 26th September. It didn't turn up and I have been checking the tracking from EVRI. Last Thursday, 9th October it said that it was still at EVRI's hub. Checked yesterday and it then said it was delivered on the 6th October at 8.00pm, we were in at the time and heard nothing! As we are out at the gym four mornings I set an alternative drop location, (shed in the back yard). I have of course checked everywhere, shed, back yard, (including the bins) front door and garden, no parcel. Tracking says it was delivered to our address, no photo, I have notified the seller to that effect. Grrrr

[PanBiker]

Ebay seller has offered us a full refund. I have said that I will check our local drop off hub for EVRI which is One Stop on Church Street then advise if it's not there.

[Wendyf]

I signed up for the Evri App and changed my delivery address for all parcels to the hub in Earby. It works a treat, no more lost deliveries.

[PanBiker]

Well, my parcel isn't at the local Evri drop point. I had advised the supplier accordingly and gone for the refund offered. I will see if I can find one locally, maybe TK Max, I need a new 2lb loaf tin of particular dimensions so I may get that there as well if I'm lucky.

[Stanley]

Evri are not the sharpest knives in the box. They sent me a message yesterday morning to say my parcel would be delivered 11:30 to 12:30 and then another email ten minutes later to say it would be delivered on another day, they would let me know when.
I don't think I have ever had anything delivered on time by them.

[Tizer]

It sounds like my Evri experience related in this thread from October 2nd to 10th.

Chill out with these photos...
`Pictured: Winning entries for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx253vrd931o

[Cathy]

Thanks Tize, couldn’t pick a favourite, all amazing.
Lots of very patient photographers there.

[Stanley]

THIS got my attention this morning....

Spoiler warning: This article reveals details from the third episode of The Celebrity Traitors. There were murders, betrayals... and a fart. The third episode of The Celebrity Traitors has taken place, and veteran British actress Celia Imrie releasing wind at a tense point in the game was one of the moments that got viewers talking. "What just happened?" presenter Claudia Winkleman demanded to know. "I just farted, Claudia. It's nerves, but I always own up," responded Imrie, sparking howls of laughter.
This article was filed under 'culture'.....
The other matter that got my attention was the fact I felt cold, so I have put my Damart Double force vest on. Yes, I know, I'm getting old and feeling the cold more.

[Stanley]

Trump seems to have assumed that Gaza peace is a done deal and now he concentrates on Russia in his charge towards a Nobel.....
US President Donald Trump says "great progress" was made during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, with the pair agreeing to face-to-face talks in Hungary. He said the call, the first with Putin since mid-August, was "very productive", adding that teams from Washington and Moscow will meet next week. Trump did not confirm a date for his meeting with Putin in Budapest. The Kremlin said work on the summit would begin "immediately" after the "extremely frank and trustful" call. The talks came a day before Ukraine's President Zelensky was to visit the White House, and with Trump weighing whether to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep into Russia. As he arrived in the US, Zelensky said Moscow was "rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks". Writing on his Truth Social platform after the call concluded, Trump said he and Putin "spent a great deal of time talking about Trade between Russia and the United States when the War with Ukraine is over".
In reality, the Gaza conflict hovers on the brink of resumption......

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report for an example of Trump's justice....
US President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of George Santos, a former Republican congressman serving seven years in prison for fraud and identify theft, ordering his immediate release. In a post on social media, Trump said Santos "has been horribly mistreated", adding: "Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!" The former lawmaker was only the sixth in US history to be expelled from Congress, after a damning ethics report in 2023. Santos, who admitted to stealing the identities of 11 people - including from his own family members, is currently serving his sentence at a minimum-security jail in New Jersey. In April when Santos was sentenced a judge told him: "You got elected with your words, most of which were lies." He reportedly cried in court and begged for forgiveness, saying: "I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead." Prosecutors argued that the novice politician had lied about his background and misused campaign funds to finance his lifestyle. In his post, Trump justified the move by criticising a Democratic lawmaker, Senator Richard Blumenthal, whom he accused of fabricating his US military service. "This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!" Trump wrote.

[Stanley]

If Andrew thought he was taking the pressure off he was wrong. See THIS assessment....
4 hours ago
We're unlikely to see Prince Andrew at a royal public event now for at least six months. And then maybe only once or twice a year. Banned from royal Christmas celebrations at Sandringham he won't be on the annual church walk. It could be April 2026, at the Easter church service, before he reappears on such a family occasion, maybe longer. But when he resurfaces, how much will his life have really changed, despite the drama of the loss of his titles and honours? The move against Andrew followed a public outcry for some kind of sanction and there's certainly been a powerful symbolic message of displeasure - but will it really end the accusing headlines and will his daily life be much affected?Buckingham Palace will hope that this will be seen as a decisive intervention, ending the drip-drip of scandal. The King was in Scotland when Andrew made his decision on giving up his titles and reportedly spoke to his brother on the phone. He had consulted Prince William, who has all the warmth of an ice age for his uncle Andrew. When William is eventually on the throne, Andrew's royal appearances might be reduced from rare to never. It had been William who had already intervened to stop Andrew from walking in the Order of the Garter procession. There has been a colossal loss of reputation for Prince Andrew and he'll keenly feel no longer being able to use the Duke of York title and to take part in the Order of the Garter. He's become a persona non-garter. It's a deep blow to his pride. But on a day-to-day basis, he's still a prince and he's still living in a mansion in Windsor. Royal Lodge has got a lease until 2078, so if he leaves it will be his own choice. Living with him still will be his ex-wife, who is now also an ex-duchess. They've gone back to the position when they first met, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew.

[Stanley]

Later..... I see that the founder of BetFred is threatening closure of all its high Street betting shops if taxes on them are raised.
Hands up anybody who is surprised by this.....

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report about a very old-fashioned crime.....
The Louvre Museum in Paris has been forced to close while police investigate a brazen heist which targeted France's priceless crown jewels. Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most visited museum in broad daylight, before escaping on scooters with eight extremely valuable items of jewellery. Here is what we know about the crime which has stunned France.The theft happened on Sunday between 09:30 and 09:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened to visitors. Four thieves used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine. Pictures from the scene showed a vehicle-mounted ladder leading up to a first-floor window. Two of the thieves cut through glass panes with a battery-powered disc cutter and entered the museum. They then threatened the guards, who evacuated the premises, and stole items from two glass display cases.
Getting in through a window after using a glass cutter takes us straight back to Lord Peter Wimsey territory!

[Tizer]

The words `eggs' and `basket' come to mind...
`Snapchat, Duolingo and several banks among major apps down in Amazon internet services outage' LINK

[Whyperion]

Pizza Hut UK Restaurants latest owner enters administration , with an apparent sale to the main pizza hut owner of about 64 out of 132 UK Sites.
Oddly I was passing a rather busy large one on the Strand in London on Sunday making a note I might do an annual treat there as the local one to mums has closed , though the quality last Christmas had deteriorated anyway compared to years past that I remember.

Once ordered a delivery when I lived in Barking Veggie Supreme with Garlic Bread. over the phone they had abbreviated Garlic Bread to G/B and got a Veggie Supreme with Ground Beef as extra topping. hmm. Oh well the Cat (not the profile one) was happy and nibbled Ground Beef and Cheese.

[Stanley]

Some of you nay remember that Susan's husband Mick is brother to Wilf Bowman Ripley who runs the Carriage driving centre at Ashfields.
Susan got word yesterday that Wilf has been badly injured in a road accident while exercising his 4 horse carriage team. I don't have the full SP but evidently he was negotiating passing a skip wagon and his team were spooked by the chains. One horse in veterinary hospital with bad cuts. Wilf has two broken legs, both with two breaks and other injuries as well. Can't find any reports yet.

[Stanley]

Still no hard news....

[Whyperion]

Actually quite a few days over the years really. In London Buses (and probably elsewhere like the Manchester Bee Network) inside there are "Passenger Information Screens" , which are not information about passengers but some useful stuff. One one older type it is a simple two line orange LED Dot matrix with next stop name on one row (or a * if on diversion) and the the time digital but am/pm below. If the bell to request next stop is rung the time goes away with Bus Stopping appearing instead ( at one time "stopping" was a red lettered panel illuminated when the request for next stop was made ) . Another type has a two line screen like a laptop monitor with stop name on it and route number ultimate destination. Now if bell is rung a "bus stopping" appears instead of final destination, and also appearing is the time , digital in AM / PM format. Some new buses have a rather large panel with next two stops some dots an a oount of remaining stops to end desination, again no time until bell to stop is pressed on the bus. all rather oddly inconsistent

[Stanley]

News from My mate Daniel this morning about progress with the latest version of Shuttles, Steam and Soot. I am told that the publishers have sent me copies of the latest publications and that after Oxford the exhibition is due to come north and be circulated in Pendle by Nick Hunt from Mid Pennine Arts.
So we still have the prospect of another BBC film......

[Stanley]

See THIS report about the Met officers exposed in the Panorama programme.....
Three Metropolitan Police officers have been sacked for gross misconduct after appearing in an undercover report by BBC Panorama. Sgt Joe McIlvenny, PC Philip Neilson and PC Martin Borg faced expedited misconduct hearings on Thursday over secret filming aired in the programme. They denied allegations of gross misconduct but accepted they made the comments aired in the programme. Allegations against all three were upheld during the hearings, and all were dismissed with immediate effect. They are the first of 10 current or former officers to face hearings as part of the Met's accelerated misconduct proceedings over footage from the investigation. Chair of the panel, Cdr Jason Prins, described the conduct of all three officers as a "disgrace". He said it "must have been obvious" to them that "the comments made were abhorrent." He added that Mr McIlvenny's conduct was "exacerbated as he was a Police Sergeant and in a leadership position". In a statement following the hearings, Met Police professionalism Cdr Simon Messinger, said the force had upheld a promise to hold misconduct hearings "at the earliest opportunity". "We have since replaced the custody team at Charing Cross, made changes to local leadership and wider work continues to identify any other areas of concern in detention teams across the Met."
There are ongoing proceedings against other officers. I saw no mention of whether pensions had been affected.