General News Thread

[leicsmac]

A lot of sirens in Nuneaton. 

 

Possible protest going on?

[Trav Le Bleu]

18 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

A lot of sirens in Nuneaton. 

 

Possible protest going on?

Against mermaids?

[Free Falling Foxes]

3 hours ago, st albans fox said:

Can’t see Zelenskyy taking a deal where he cedes land without a security pact with either NATO, the USA or a UN SC backed cobbled together group. 
 

otherwise he’s just kicking the can down the road until Russia decides it’s going back in. 

I know Russia doesn't do open, free and fair elections, so this is probably a non starter, but if Zelensky offered an election in the captured parts of Ukraine, so the folk could decide if they wished to fall under Russian rule, it could be a compromise?

This vote could be monitored by the UN as well as Russian and Ukrainian officials to assure fairness.

Putin reckons they are ethnic Russians in those lands he occupies and that was one of his reasons to invade, (I know I know) so let the people decide if they agree with him. 

 

Reading that back before posting, I can see that it almost certainly wouldn't happen. However, peace won't happen either if all sides dig their heels in

 

Edited 9 August 2025 by Free Falling Foxes

[Super_horns]

Do they need to arrest elderly people etc as they are hardly terrorists in reality?

[The Doctor]

7 hours ago, Super_horns said:

Do they need to arrest elderly people etc as they are hardly terrorists in reality?

They're losing control and this is an attempt to regain it. I think they seriously underestimated the level of support for Palestine that's developed from watching the current conflict unfold, so thought that proscribing a pro-Palestine group would shut it down. The police could just refuse to enforce it since a granny sat with a placard that isn't inciting specific actions isn't a terrorist threat (I specify no incitement because hate preaching like, to give a classic example, Abu Hamza, does incite terrorism - hate preachers are stochastic terrorists and that should really be a terrorist offence in itself imo), but the only way really to put a stop to this is for the proscription order to be reversed.

 

Like we're now at, if the stats from yesterday I've seen are accurate (466 arrests), more people arrested for terror offences than any other year since the legislation was introduced, which kinda betrays how stupid it is when those other years include the 7th July tube bombings and the attacks at Manchester Arena

[StanSP]

On 08/08/2025 at 17:58, leicsmac said:

Lammy's welcome to JD "Sofa Violator" Vance is...well, pretty horrific in it's sycophancy.

 

Should have stuck to your guns, David. Cowardice wasn't the way here. 

He just seems very useless and incompetent. He doesn't give off the vibe that he knows what he's doing or what he's capable of. 

[The Doctor]

21 minutes ago, StanSP said:

He just seems very useless and incompetent. He doesn't give off the vibe that he knows what he's doing or what he's capable of. 

Lammy or Vance?

[StanSP]

13 minutes ago, The Doctor said:

Lammy or Vance?

Lammy.

[Lionator]

18 hours ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

I know Russia doesn't do open, free and fair elections, so this is probably a non starter, but if Zelensky offered an election in the captured parts of Ukraine, so the folk could decide if they wished to fall under Russian rule, it could be a compromise?

This vote could be monitored by the UN as well as Russian and Ukrainian officials to assure fairness.

Putin reckons they are ethnic Russians in those lands he occupies and that was one of his reasons to invade, (I know I know) so let the people decide if they agree with him. 

 

Reading that back before posting, I can see that it almost certainly wouldn't happen. However, peace won't happen either if all sides dig their heels in

 

Yeah most people have already left these towns, trying to organise a referendum would be impossible.

 

And the end of the day something will give soon. Ukraine are running out of men, and no amount of western aid or sanctions against Russia will change that. Russia’s casualty rate is also crazy, while they have a much larger population, Putin would have to do another massive mobilisation again soon to keep going and the 2022 autumn mobilisation was the one time in the war he lost public confidence. The fact Putin seems to finally be looking at some sort of solution indicates that he’s listening to his economists and not the war hawk maniacs. Both sides are going to have to make painful concessions. 

[Lionator]

1 hour ago, StanSP said:

He just seems very useless and incompetent. He doesn't give off the vibe that he knows what he's doing or what he's capable of. 

All European politicians are sycophants these days. They all pulled their pants down for Trump to do what he wants to them, and now he’s stabbing them in the back anyway re Ukraine. Lammy is a good example of this. Vance represents pretty much everything Lammy would despise yet there he is running his belly for him. 

[leicsmac]

15 minutes ago, Lionator said:

All European politicians are sycophants these days. They all pulled their pants down for Trump to do what he wants to them, and now he’s stabbing them in the back anyway re Ukraine. Lammy is a good example of this. Vance represents pretty much everything Lammy would despise yet there he is running his belly for him. 

I would like to think that not all of them are, but yes, far too many at least. 

 

Carney and Albanese, among others, need to hold their nerve on the matter too. It is so important to have a viable bloc that isn't selling the shitebag nationalist ideals that both the US and Russia are trying to impress upon the world right now. 

Edited 10 August 2025 by leicsmac

[Foxdiamond]

10 hours ago, Super_horns said:

Do they need to arrest elderly people etc as they are hardly terrorists in reality?

If they break the law why not?

[Foxdiamond]

2 hours ago, The Doctor said:

They're losing control and this is an attempt to regain it. I think they seriously underestimated the level of support for Palestine that's developed from watching the current conflict unfold, so thought that proscribing a pro-Palestine group would shut it down. The police could just refuse to enforce it since a granny sat with a placard that isn't inciting specific actions isn't a terrorist threat (I specify no incitement because hate preaching like, to give a classic example, Abu Hamza, does incite terrorism - hate preachers are stochastic terrorists and that should really be a terrorist offence in itself imo), but the only way really to put a stop to this is for the proscription order to be reversed.

 

Like we're now at, if the stats from yesterday I've seen are accurate (466 arrests), more people arrested for terror offences than any other year since the legislation was introduced, which kinda betrays how stupid it is when those other years include the 7th July tube bombings and the attacks at Manchester Arena

That people want to protest about what is going on in Palestine is one thing. To support an organisation that breaks into and damages equipment and materials that are used in the defence of our country deserve to feel the full weight of the law imo.

[Zear0]

https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-9-2025

 

What chance does this process have when that imbecile Witkoff is the one doing the negotiations?

 

Guess the below opens two options. One, delay next Friday's meeting so they can actually understand what's being proposed. Or two, just crack on out of fear of being perceived weak and changing their minds. Can't for the life of me guess which is going to happen... 

 

"German outlet BILD reported on August 9 that US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff misunderstood Putin's demand for Ukraine to withdraw from the remainder of Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts, in addition to the remainder of Donetsk Oblast, as an offer for Russia to withdraw from occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts during the August 6 Putin-Witkoff meeting.[1] BILD reported that Witkoff also misunderstood Putin's proposal for an energy infrastructure and long-range strikes ceasefire, and that Witkoff interpreted Putin's offer as a general ceasefire that would curtail frontline military activity. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that European officials familiar with the conversation and call stated that US President Donald Trump, presumably after being briefed by Witkoff, told Ukrainian and European officials on August 6 that Putin would withdraw from occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts in exchange for Ukraine ceding unoccupied areas of Donetsk Oblast.[2] The officials told WSJ that Witkoff walked back Trump's statement during a call with European officials on August 7 and stated that Russia would "both withdraw and freeze" the frontline, presumably referring to Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts. European officials reportedly asked Witkoff to further clarify Putin's demand during a call on August 8, and Witkoff stated that the "only offer" on the table was for Ukraine to unilaterally withdraw from Donetsk Oblast in exchange for a ceasefire."

[Torquay Gunner]

12 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

If they break the law why not?

Arrested for holding placards?  It should be remembered that if Palestine Action weren’t lumped in with two murderous neo nazi groups,  it is unlikely they would have been proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the first  place.  That’s the reason why peaceful protesters were arrested yesterday.  Don’t want to upset the Israelis after all.  It turns my stomach. 

[Lionator]

8 minutes ago, Zear0 said:

https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-9-2025

 

What chance does this process have when that imbecile Witkoff is the one doing the negotiations?

 

Guess the below opens two options. One, delay next Friday's meeting so they can actually understand what's being proposed. Or two, just crack on out of fear of being perceived weak and changing their minds. Can't for the life of me guess which is going to happen... 

 

"German outlet BILD reported on August 9 that US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff misunderstood Putin's demand for Ukraine to withdraw from the remainder of Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts, in addition to the remainder of Donetsk Oblast, as an offer for Russia to withdraw from occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts during the August 6 Putin-Witkoff meeting.[1] BILD reported that Witkoff also misunderstood Putin's proposal for an energy infrastructure and long-range strikes ceasefire, and that Witkoff interpreted Putin's offer as a general ceasefire that would curtail frontline military activity. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that European officials familiar with the conversation and call stated that US President Donald Trump, presumably after being briefed by Witkoff, told Ukrainian and European officials on August 6 that Putin would withdraw from occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts in exchange for Ukraine ceding unoccupied areas of Donetsk Oblast.[2] The officials told WSJ that Witkoff walked back Trump's statement during a call with European officials on August 7 and stated that Russia would "both withdraw and freeze" the frontline, presumably referring to Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts. European officials reportedly asked Witkoff to further clarify Putin's demand during a call on August 8, and Witkoff stated that the "only offer" on the table was for Ukraine to unilaterally withdraw from Donetsk Oblast in exchange for a ceasefire."

Not saying what they’ve stated is wrong but institute of war is not a good source, it’s ran by rabid war hawks who want America to invade Russia. 

[Lionator]

37 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I would like to think that not all of them are, but yes, far too many at least. 

 

Carney and Albanese, among others, need to hold their nerve on the matter too. It is so important to have a viable bloc that isn't selling the shitebag nationalist ideals that both the US and Russia are trying to impress upon the world right now. 

Pedro Sanchez stood up to them because Spain spending 5% of their GDP on defence would be stupid given they’re probably the safest country in Europe geographically and they’ve got much bigger issues such as their whole energy system going kaput in april

[The Doctor]

21 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

That people want to protest about what is going on in Palestine is one thing. To support an organisation that breaks into and damages equipment and materials that are used in the defence of our country deserve to feel the full weight of the law imo.

Defend this country from what exactly? Actual powers do cyber wars now where they don't specifically want the land you're on. There's not a country out there thats a military threat to us that we haven't armed first. It might be the law but if the law says a ****ing granny holding a placard saying "I'm upset by dead kids" is equivalent to Al-Qaeda, then the law is a ****ing arse and should be torn apart.

[leicsmac]

21 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Pedro Sanchez stood up to them because Spain spending 5% of their GDP on defence would be stupid given they’re probably the safest country in Europe geographically and they’ve got much bigger issues such as their whole energy system going kaput in april

From what it sounds like, that was a one time unforeseen incident that can be guarded against in future. 

 

That doesn't stop the usual suspects from using it as a convenient excuse to bash renewable energy and look to open the door to much worse things in future, though. 

[Foxdiamond]

9 minutes ago, The Doctor said:

Defend this country from what exactly? Actual powers do cyber wars now where they don't specifically want the land you're on. There's not a country out there thats a military threat to us that we haven't armed first. It might be the law but if the law says a ****ing granny holding a placard saying "I'm upset by dead kids" is equivalent to Al-Qaeda, then the law is a ****ing arse and should be torn apart.

You did see I said protesting about what is happening in Gaza etc is a different matter. Even if you think the equipment is useless in our defence it is still sabotage?

[JonnyBoy]

On 08/08/2025 at 13:23, Greg2607 said:

these are the salaries required as a single person, assuming a 10% deposit, for house prices ranging from £150,000 - £250,000....

 

Average UK wage is around £38,000..........  

 

it's a massive mountain to climb for alot of people who aren't professionally qualified or in a career with increasing salaries....

 

it's not insurmountable obviously... but it's a struggle. 

 

Be careful Greg, people will miss quote you about this and say giving up avocado on toast and coffees will get you on the property ladder (satire) - missing the main point of not having a car on finance or going on expensive holidays will HELP towards a house deposit.

 

Edited 10 August 2025 by JonnyBoy

[Sampson]

Someone posted about it being hard to hire new policemen and you have to wonder what’s going through the policemen’s heads when they’re forced to arrest an 89 year old woman sitting peacefully with a placard, no wonder people leave the force, they’d need to be not human to actually not have second thoughts about whether this is the right thing to do - and if they don’t then what kind of humans are we making in our police force? I always thought our police felt much more human and friendly than say US police for example, I don’t think it’s good for our society to try and change that and try and turn our police into mindless, inhuman drones.

 

The government making the law don’t have to deal with the human contact on the ground like the police do - and history has shown that “I was just doing my job/following orders” is neither a legitimate legal nor moral excuse. 

[Greg2607]

14 minutes ago, JonnyBoy said:

Be careful Greg, people will miss quote you about this and say giving up avocado on toast and coffees will get you on the property ladder (satire) - missing the main point of not having a car on finance or going on expensive holidays will HELP towards a house deposit.

 

To my mind, the deposit is Less of an issue... It's the multiple of income required to get a mortgage of size to afford the house.  

 

If you are single and earning £60k, you could only borrow £240,000.....  that doesn't buy much house in a nice area. 

 

 

[leicsmac]

4 minutes ago, Greg2607 said:

To my mind, the deposit is Less of an issue... It's the multiple of income required to get a mortgage of size to afford the house.  

 

If you are single and earning £60k, you could only borrow £240,000.....  that doesn't buy much house in a nice area. 

 

 

Yep.

 

If the average (mean, median or mode?) salary in the UK is 38k, that gets you (at a generous 4.5x) roughly 170k. 

 

Even if you pair that with a 30k deposit you're still at about 200k, which rules out pretty much anything freehold south of Northampton and even in the Midlands you'll struggle to get much more than a 2-bed terrace in good nick for that. 

Edited 10 August 2025 by leicsmac

[Foxdiamond]

5 minutes ago, Sampson said:

Someone posted about it being hard to hire new policemen and you have to wonder what’s going through the policemen’s heads when they’re forced to arrest an 89 year old woman sitting peacefully with a placard, no wonder people leave the force, they’d need to be not human to actually not have second thoughts about whether this is the right thing to do - and if they don’t then what kind of humans are we making in our police force? I always thought our police felt much more human and friendly than say US police for example, I don’t think it’s good for our society to try and change that and try and turn our police into mindless, inhuman drones.

 

The government making the law don’t have to deal with the human contact on the ground like the police do - and history has shown that “I was just doing my job/following orders” is neither a legitimate legal nor moral excuse. 

Wonder if you would be so sympathetic if another 89 year old was holding a placard supporting a right wing group