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FIFA management has been corrupt for years bowing to the almighty $. They inserted a drinks break supposedly because of the heat but mandated it for all games whether it is hot or cold, effectively splitting the game in to 4 quarters. This not only disrupts the flow of the game & gives players a bit of a breather but and most importantly provides and additional period to rake in $billions from advertisers.

The reason why I want a NC750X is that it is a reliable bike, lasts forever, and is incredibly frugal - 80 miles/gallon is quite easily doable. I do lots of miles and will continue to do so. Although, the downside is while it is torquey, it isn't particularly powerful at 56bhp and I am now quite used to what is probably about 85 under the petrol tank. My CBF1000 is a commuter hack. If I had a decent space for the workshop and the tools (not much more than I have - e.g. crimpers, etc), I am sure it is a doddle to fix. Mechanically, it is absolutely sound. I am told my issue could be the fuse on the starter solenoid, but it doesn't make sense as the starter has no delays or lower power dips, etc. I am thinking it is a case of pulling the tank off and following the wires. My guess is a wire is pulled from a connector; a connector is corroded or there is insulation chafing. Ahh, bugger it.. .the Triumph dealer said they didn't realise I wanted them to hang onto the bike until I get back - they don't have the space. So, I will just bite the bullet and buy a couple of more tools; more stuff to send back to Aus.

Did you know.... If you spell Absolutely Nothing backwards, you get.... "Gnighton Yletulosba", which means....... Absolutely Nothing!

My wife once told me, "Sex is more fun on holidays". It wasn't the best postcard I've ever received

True story. I was looking through the program guide on Foxtel, and came a across a program called..(What The?) .. "Rooted". Of course, I had to check it out. It was about trees in Africa.

Thi is the incident Balogun was awarded the red card for, stepping on an oponent's foot.

The thread is devoted to 'God Elp Amerika' but no evidence suggests god is helping at all. Unless god thinks the world might be better off without the US part of america

Ah... The smoke must have escaped the system. Just go to the dark side and buy a BMW. Here is my little beast K1200R 21 years old and 121,000 km and feels like new.

Today I picked up a kids' book which dealt with the the convicts. On the very first page was the usual story of overcrowded prisons etc., etc. The story on that page made me wonder how many people beleive that the Arab-Israeli situation only began in 2023, simply because those people have no knowledge of what has been happening in the area since 1919. I have read many of the comments peole have posted here. I believe that the comments were made in absolute good faith. However, in many I see a lack of knowledge of the sequence of events that lead to the sending of the First Fleet. I contend that the sending of the First Fleet was the culmination of a number of events that occurred amongst the European powers from 1756 to 1763. This was the period of the Seven Years War, which was probably the first global war since conflicts occurred in Europe, the Americas and India. By the late 1760s the French were nosing around Polynesia which the Spanish explored two hundred years before in 1568. The British knew about New Zealand and I have already mentioned the economic and strategic value of New Zealand flax and teh pines of Norfolk Island. The Americans were also whaling and trading in the vicinity of Australia.

Well, things had been running more or less smoothly for a while. The weather was getting better, and i was able to consistently replicate my charging issue - when the high beans were put on or brake lights came on. But, it was generally performing well. I had also slotted into a routine where the ride was comfortable. When I booked the bike for its next service, I asked them to look at the charging issue. It came back worse than when it went in. FFS. now the charging system does not work at all, and for that they charged me (pardon the pun) a new battery. FFS. I can't take it anywhere as in about 20 - 30 miles the thing will discharge. That was the second shot I game that shop - no more. Because it's an electrical issue they hid behind the "well, it could be anything that decided to fail at that time." I figured it would cost me more in time than fight them for the c. £100 I assume they charged me (they don't itemise the cost against what they did in the service on the invoice) and just accepted the loss. I have spent some time tinkering. The stator is good - AC coming out of it is good. The regulator (after I was sent the wrong one) is good, 14.2v coming out of it at 5k revs. But between there and the battery, which has the starter solenoid, something is amiss. I am guessing it is a simple short, but the wiring to the battery follows a circuitous path which will require tools and room I don't have. So, I am charging it up and sending it to the local Triumph dealer while I am in Aus. I will pay 30% more in labour, but they have a good reputation around here. The only other independent shop around here can't see my bike for 6 weeks - they are booked that far ahead.. So, I am a little peeved off because it is the best weather for riding at the moment. Also, the switch on one of my rather expensive heated gloves has pooped itself and the vendor (manufacturer/distributor) decided they would try and avoid the warranty - they are only 3 months old (at the time). Waiting for them to come back - not that I need them right now. Suffice to say, I am a little dejected on the biking front at the moment. But, it is a fantastic bike, but if I can't get this one gremlin on it sorted, I will probably put it up for sale and use some of the reno money to get a NC750X.. Which I may do anyway because for some stupid reason, Honda in Australia don't sell them new anymore - so will import it myself.

Only the high density lines are profitable on a rail operating basis; most Japanese railway companies have diversified their income stream by investing in real estate and retail businesses. There are very few commuter and mass transit rail services that operate on a stand alone profit basis. The UK under Maggie tried it and it can be considered a failure with re-nationalisation starting now (although that is also a mixed bag at the moment). The reality is there is not a lot better as a mass transit system than rail. Between the big cities and bigger regional areas it makes sense. If stopping the Melbourne - Brisbane rail line is to recalibrate the project, that is a good thing. The sad thing about it is it i only intended for freight. A decent speed passenger service linking the two cities would be excellent and, assuming it wasn't extortionate to use, you could put me down for it. My bro and his wife did the Ghan in the lower of the premium service - was still about $5K each from memory.. They loved it. One of the good things I would guess over a car would be that when you pass through the vast expanses of nothingness, there is plenty you can do to while away the hours.. not much in a car. Of course, my real preference would be in a 150kt aircraft at the helm, but the cost would probably be a bit more.. and the in flight service is pretty crap.

Stews (And Soups) are easier to keep available and you can chuck almost anything in it and get away with it. Nev

Yeah but they didn't HAVE to stay. Later they May have "Jumped ship" to do so. Many of them were "recruited" from Pubs when they were drunk. Nev

There have been a few different articles focusing on different cancers... "ironically", none I recall on skin cancers. Here's one: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-07/cancer-diagnosis-rates-under-50s-rising-causes-four-corners/105495620. It is mainly around the gastroenterinal cancers from memory. Given we have been burning fat on meat for decades if not more than two centuries, the rise in the rate has scientists stumped, apparently.

Everyone is following the world cup, but as FIFA is a corrupt rort for a sport, there is no way that my eyeballs are going to be used in the numbers to get the advertisers to pay the TV stations to pay FIFA to watch the world cup. What#s this got to do with Chump? Well, he has stepped in and FIFA has bowed to his request to suspend the suspension - in accordance with the rules - of whom I suppose is an American star player: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/13560770/world-cup-2026-fifa-step-in-to-allow-banned-folarin-balogun-to-play-usa-last-16-tie-a-move-praised-by-president-donald-trump So, if you;re likened to watch the game, you are now inadvertently supporting Chump cheating.

Microsoft are doing very well, aren't they?

It might have been a case of "use it, or lose it". Once Cook had planted the Union Jack in 1770, with the French hot on his tail, the Poms may have decided to get a fleet together, regardless of cost, and establish a settlement to consolidate the claim. In respect to that, overcrowding in the Mother Land may not have been the only reason for transportation of convicts to NSW. There were more than just convicts too, in the first fleet, there were hundreds of sailors, soldiers, and families. They made up about one third of the total on board.

Stil covered in frost outside here which is not far from there. Beautiful clear day other wise. My Barometer is 1041 Mbs. Highest I can recall. Nev

Owned by Stellantis..Marty. Jerry That would be the Best way to go Broke. You need to eliminate faults BEFORE you decide to go into Production. Nev

Trump said "America DOESN'T Have MANY Geniuses". That having been said HE listens to nobody, anyhow and GOD put him where he is. And He just accidently becomes much more wealthy and dictatorial, WTF? Good on you GOP. Who's laughing the Most? CHINA. Well done! US continues to fall further behind, in debt, Inflation and infrastructure and Production. Nev

They had to get them 'Out of Sight and out of Mind' AND they DID lose the American solution. Prisons cost a lot of money. Once they are transported they end up costing nothing to support and even make money for their Masters and to run the Colony and build the roads etc some of which still remain. We are being swamped with these alternative re-creations ... Fine IF the supporting evidence is there and verifiable to replace what we originally thought.. Some of what we have been told is WITHOUT evidence at all Particularly some religious assertions.. Old unserviceable wooden ships don't float that well and would soon become an infectious Cess pit, and an embarrassment. Nev

Hypothetical" refers to something based on a theory rather than on real life or proven facts. It is typically used when you are exploring a possible scenario ("what if...") for the sake of discussion, debate, or problem. An hypothesis is about testing a question, while a thesis is about arguing a conclusion. So you are correct inlabelling what I put forward as an hypothetical concept.

My thesis is that the "history" we have been taught is not 100% correct. It is rue that the Revolutionary War with the 13 Colonies caused overcrowding in the hullks, but my thought is that we must look further afield into European history to see why a government would spend lots of money sending a few convicts from a large population of them into the unknown. It would have been cheaper for teh government to commission a few more hulks, snce these were ships that were no longer suitable to head to sea. Please remember that my initial post was more of an announcement of my thesis. At that time I simply had an idea. It is absolutely true that research must be done to get the evidence to either support the thesis, or to rebut it. I am not so ignorant as to not accept that I could be wrong. At the moment we are only at teh beginning of the search for an answer.

All I can say is 'Yep, He did this'..... Tomahawk cruise missile. The United States burned through over 1,000 Tomahawks in Iran — ten years’ worth of production. Each one’s fin actuators run on samarium-cobalt magnets. China mines and refines 99% of the world’s samarium and placed it under export licensing on April 4, 2025. To rebuild the inventory, Raytheon must turn to Beijing for samarium. Patriot PAC-3 interceptor. The seeker uses samarium-cobalt (SmCo) to slew its guidance head; the radar’s traveling-wave tubes use SmCo to focus the microwave beam; yttrium-iron-garnet phase shifters tune the array. Replenishing the 1,200-plus interceptors expended in Iran requires roughly 1.2 to 2.4 tons of high-temperature SmCo, plus yttrium oxide. Between 2020 and 2023, China supplied 93% of U.S. yttrium imports. JASSM-ER stealth cruise missile. The fin servos and seeker run on neodymium-iron-boron magnets (NdFB) doped with dysprosium and terbium for thermal stability. Strip out the heavy rare earths, and the magnet demagnetizes in flight. Roughly 1,100 missiles expended translates to between 1.5 and 3 tons of NdFeB feedstock. China refines the vast majority of the world’s dysprosium and terbium. F-35 Lightning II. For a decade, the Department of Defense itself has repeated that each F-35 contains 920 pounds of rare earths. The strategically critical content is the high-temperature SmCo and dysprosium-doped NdFeB in the engine actuators, electric drives, and radar. These are materials Beijing has placed under license. So US used up most of their ammo in Iran and now need China's permission to reload.

I thought Peugeot were owned by the same company that produces MG and a raft of other Chinese cars.