Current Affairs 2025

[Onelife]

I couldn’t agree more, maybe the young, fit and unemployed should be required to do National service.

[Ray B]

Well as we've already seen the working man clearly doesn't include pensioners. We're fair game.

She may have noticed the amount of OAPs that go on cruises.

[Stephen]

Civil unrest has already started, and who can blame them. The British citizen has had enough, and if the current useless government haven’t got the balls to sort it out then the people of this country may well do it for them.

[towny44]

Civil unrest has already started, and who can blame them. The British citizen has had enough, and if the current useless government haven’t got the balls to sort it out then the people of this country may well do it for them.

I think that's called anarchy Stephen, unless you are proposing setting up a new people's party.

[Stephen]

I don’t do parties John.

[oldbluefox]

Civil unrest has already started, and who can blame them. The British citizen has had enough, and if the current useless government haven’t got the balls to sort it out then the people of this country may well do it for them.

I think the people of this country can see what is happening in their local neighbourhoods and how the indigenous culture is slowly being eroded only to be replaced by a foreign culture. Most importantly nobody is listening, in fact the change is being encouraged as UK becomes 'diverse'. Nobody asked what we wanted.
It has nothing to do with racism but we cannot absorb more and more immigration whoilst at the same time being told to accept their culture. Anybody coming hereshould be integrating into OUR culture, our way of living, our beliefs, our mode of dress (within religious constraints), our traditions. If immigrants want to live as they would in their home land that is where they should be.

[Stephen]

Couldn’t agree more Foxy.

[david63]

Anybody coming here should be integrating into OUR culture, our way of living, our beliefs, our mode of dress (within religious constraints), our traditions.

Whilst I would not necessarily disagree it is somewhat "do as I say not as I do/did".

When the British went to colonise other countries we did not follow their way of life but forced our way of life on that country. Yes, I know that times have changed and we have moved on but the basic principle still applies that I am going to live in another country but I want to live my life as I have always done in my own country.

None of this is helped when you get a 19 year old as leader of a County Council (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj61l526xlxo). I don't know the lad or anything about him but, in my mind, someone of that age does not enough of life's experiences, nor skills, to hold that position - most people spend most of their working life learning how to do a job and not just jump straight in at the top.

[Onelife]

Anybody coming here should be integrating into OUR culture, our way of living, our beliefs, our mode of dress (within religious constraints), our traditions.

Whilst I would not necessarily disagree it is somewhat "do as I say not as I do/did".

When the British went to colonise other countries we did not follow their way of life but forced our way of life on that country. Yes, I know that times have changed and we have moved on but the basic principle still applies that I am going to live in another country but I want to live my life as I have always done in my own country.

None of this is helped when you get a 19 year old as leader of a County Council (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj61l526xlxo). I don't know the lad or anything about him but, in my mind, someone of that age does not enough of life's experiences, nor skills, to hold that position - most people spend most of their working life learning how to do a job and not just jump straight in at the top.

I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that statement…you’ve only got to see what the Romans did for this country to understand colonisation can bring benefits to otherwise backward thinking countries. What we have with many immigrants’ seeking asylum is that they bring little in the way of skill sets and yet still want to bring their cultural heritage/ways of life with them.

[oldbluefox]

Denmark has already implemented its response to mass immigration
"Denmark's approach to immigration is known for being highly restrictive, especially regarding asylum seekers and those seeking long-term settlement. While once known for more liberal policies, Denmark has shifted towards a deterrence-based approach, aiming to make the country a less attractive destination for migrants. This shift has been driven by a combination of political and public opinion, with increasing concerns about the impact of immigration on Danish society and culture. "
It seems Sweden is adopting the same stance.
(Google AI overview)

[david63]

Can somebody please give a rational explanation as to Israel's war crime of starvation of civilian Palestinians because I cannot get my head around it at all. According to reports some of the Palestinian journalists, and their families, working in Gaza and sending back the news are surviving by drinking salt water.

[Ray B]

It's mass murder, children no more than skin and bones, everyone starving with little hope on the horizon of food supplies getting to them.
And the world watch.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I agree. After World War 2 people responsible for inflicting dreadful suffering on the Jews were rightly held to account for their crimes. When this is over the same should happen to the Israeli leadership.

[Onelife]

The plight of the innocent Palestinian peoples is indeed tragic but reports, as you put it, of journalist and their families having to drink salt water to survive is ridiculous and pure propaganda. Imo

As for a rational explanation as to why the people of Palestine are suffering then I would suggest it is that Hamas are still in power and still holding around 50 innocent hostages’ captive.

There seems to be more momentum for a two-state system, which on the face of it looks the only solution, this being contrary to that of what appears to be happening now where Israel looks to be wanting ethnic cleansing rather than working towards a two-state system.
The only problem I can see with a two-state system is that both sides have to agree to live alongside each other in peace. Is this feasible? Well, not where one side maintains its stance of wanting to eradicate the other off the face of the earth… which sadly now appears to be what they both want.

[david63]

As for a rational explanation as to why the people of Palestine are suffering then I would suggest it is that Hamas are still in power and still holding around 50 innocent hostages’ captive.

Not buying that - starving innocent people, which is against every law known to man, will have no affect on the release of any hostages that may still be alive.

The issue is, from the scant information Isreal will allow the rest of the world to know, is that Isreal will either not allow aid into Gaza or if it does then it restricts its distribution.

The other day Isreal claimed that over 1,000 truck loads of aid entered Gaza, whilst on the same day the UN claimed that 28 truck loads were distributed. Whilst I can accept that both figures may an exaggeration there is clearly a problem somewhere.

but reports, as you put it, of journalist and their families having to drink salt water to survive is ridiculous and pure propaganda. Imo

Of course it is propaganda as is the news footage of people clamouring for food - but that is the only way to get the message across to the world.

[screwy]

Then it’s about time the UN got ballsy and told both sides that it will put boots on the ground. If they get any bother from either side then retaliatory action will be taken.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The plight of the innocent Palestinian peoples is indeed tragic but reports, as you put it, of journalist and their families having to drink salt water to survive is ridiculous and pure propaganda. Imo

As for a rational explanation as to why the people of Palestine are suffering then I would suggest it is that Hamas are still in power and still holding around 50 innocent hostages’ captive.

There seems to be more momentum for a two-state system, which on the face of it looks the only solution, this being contrary to that of what appears to be happening now where Israel looks to be wanting ethnic cleansing rather than working towards a two-state system.
The only problem I can see with a two-state system is that both sides have to agree to live alongside each other in peace. Is this feasible? Well, not where one side maintains its stance of wanting to eradicate the other off the face of the earth… which sadly now appears to be what they both want.

Come on OL. You're not daft.

Yes there is propaganda and two sides to every story.

Telling one side are more than 100 humanitarian organisations, the UN, medics working on the ground for international agencies, respected freelance journalists and ordinary families.

Telling the other is the IDF, who won't allow news organisations in to verify the truth, and........ well no-one else actually.

So as a betting man who can, occasionally, back a winner, where realistically is your fiver going?

[towny44]

The lack of any sort of coordinated world wide action to stop Israels actions in Gaza, or Putins in Uktaine, makes me wonder why there is still a UN. If the UN cannot collectively police these barbaric actions, then what is it's point.

[Stephen]

Come on world, wake up to this awful horror.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx2l2wk3zx0t

[Onelife]

The plight of the innocent Palestinian peoples is indeed tragic but reports, as you put it, of journalist and their families having to drink salt water to survive is ridiculous and pure propaganda. Imo

As for a rational explanation as to why the people of Palestine are suffering then I would suggest it is that Hamas are still in power and still holding around 50 innocent hostages’ captive.

There seems to be more momentum for a two-state system, which on the face of it looks the only solution, this being contrary to that of what appears to be happening now where Israel looks to be wanting ethnic cleansing rather than working towards a two-state system.
The only problem I can see with a two-state system is that both sides have to agree to live alongside each other in peace. Is this feasible? Well, not where one side maintains its stance of wanting to eradicate the other off the face of the earth… which sadly now appears to be what they both want.

Come on OL. You're not daft.

Yes there is propaganda and two sides to every story.

Telling one side are more than 100 humanitarian organisations, the UN, medics working on the ground for international agencies, respected freelance journalists and ordinary families.

Telling the other is the IDF, who won't allow news organisations in to verify the truth, and........ well no-one else actually.

So as a betting man who can, occasionally, back a winner, where realistically is your fiver going?

My betting strategy would be one of ‘don’t start a fight with someone you can’t beat’… and when that becomes apparent don’t try and negotiate on terms that include,” we want the destruction of the Jewish state with everyone in it”

[oldbluefox]

Maybe it is time for the UN to step in and provide humanitarian aid irrespective of what Israel may say. This war will never end whilst Hamas continues to hold hostages irrespective of the harm being meted out to Gaza residents.

[Ranchi]

Had to smile at the 10 o’ clock news last night where an earnest lawyers was expressing his concern for all the ‘many thousand’ of clients who had signed up with his firm with claims for mis-sold car loans. You could almost see the tears in his eyes at the thought of all the fees he’d miss out on.
I must admit I’m not too clear about how these financial services claims come about. We bought two cars in the time covered and after negotiating the deal we were offered 0% credit. The sales rep was clear that he would get a commission for selling the loan. We were happy to go along with this as we may as well have the funds in our account as in the car companies coffers. The point is we agreed to the deal; price, extras etc. and were happy with the costs & period of the loan. If we hadn’t liked the costs we would not have gone ahead with the deal.
I can see that (according to the press) millions of motorists are set to miss out…on what? They knew the price & bought the car. They miss out on the image of a ££££ windfall that was cynically placed in their view by law firms.

[towny44]

Agree 100% Ranchi, I would expect most people should realise that garages will be paid a commission for all car sales routed through a finance company, and as you point out the buyer should never agree a purchase unless he is happy with the price.
Although I must confess that I don't understand what a finance company makes out of a zero interest finance offer, although I am fairly certain they would not pay a commission unless there was a profit in it for them. Maybe for new cars they have separate arrangements with the car manufacturers, and the zero interest offers are made to reach lucrative sales targets.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The only finance deal I've had in years was on my present car. As an incentive to take out the deal I got a reduction in the price of the car, which was more than the interest I paid. So goodness knows how that worked or if anyone got commission but overall I paid less, so I won't be expecting compensation.

[towny44]

I have had very few finance deals for anything, only one for a car, and that was way back when Paulines neice was working for a finance company and was able to offer us a family deal.
Our current car, nearly 11 years old, was a cash deal, but before I finalised the purchase I rang round a few nearby dealers and got their best prices, the lowest was £1500 below the local dealership, but after quite a bit of haggling I got them to match the offer.