#distressed UK flag

[swlongwave]

Triumph Bonneville Bobber & Great Britain Flag https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/143654555

[its-avalon-08]

hearts intertwined (hamilton x sister! driver!rosberg) p7

chapter 7: we crashed and burned

warnings - none at all

series masterlist

The Silverstone crowd roared as the grid lights went out. Y/N, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs, launched off the line with a blistering start. Having lived in the UK for most of her life, it was her home. This was it. Her home race, her first real shot at a win.

However, qualifying hadn't been kind. A gearbox glitch had left her in P4, frustration gnawing at her. Up ahead, Lewis, the ever-dominant force, sat comfortably in P1. The radio crackled in her ear, Liam's voice calm and collected. "Keep your head down, Y/N. We'll get our chance."

Y/N gritted her teeth, focusing on the race ahead. From the very first corner, she displayed her aggressive driving style, surgically carving her way through the pack. A risky overtake on Bottas here, a daring move on Ricciardo there – Y/N was on a mission.

By lap 15, she had clawed her way up to P2, breathing down Lewis's neck. The tension in the air crackled, the crowd sensing a brewing battle. Y/N pushed her car to the limit, matching Lewis turn for turn.

Lewis, frustrated by her relentless pursuit, made a critical error in judgment. He pitted early, a gamble that backfired spectacularly. Y/N, seizing this golden opportunity, stretched her lead. The Red Bull garage erupted in cheers as she crossed the finish line, checkered flag waving, a first-place victory secured.

The champagne shower was bittersweet. Yes, she had won, but the joy was tinged with a sense of unease. A clip of Lewis's furious radio message, broadcasted after his failed pit strategy, had gone viral. "What a stupid fucking move! She's a cheat, just like her brother!"

Y/N's smile faded. Her phone buzzed incessantly. Twitter was a storm of angry comments, fueled by Lewis's outburst. Tears pricked at her eyes. This wasn't how she'd envisioned her first win. The Lewis she'd known, the playful boy she'd shared video game afternoons with, was a distant memory.

The other drivers, sensing her distress, gathered around her, offering congratulations and words of encouragement. Max, ever the blunt one, scoffed. "Don't listen to that loser, Y/N. You earned that win fair and square."

Lando chimed in, his voice gentle. "Lewis will get over it. He just hates seeing someone else on the podium."

Y/N forced a smile, her voice choked with emotion. "Thanks, guys." But the victory felt hollow. The playful rivalry she'd secretly harbored a spark for had morphed into something toxic and consuming. As she walked away, a single tear rolled down her cheek, a silent testament to a shattered dream.

Fury simmered in Nico's eyes as he stormed into Y/N's garage. The radio message, the hateful words Lewis had spewed – they were a declaration of war, not just on Y/N, but on their entire family. He found Y/N huddled with Max and Lando, a brave smile plastered on her face.

"Y/N," Nico's voice was a low growl. "That message…"

Y/N waved him off, her smile faltering. "Don't worry about it, Nico. Lewis is just… Lewis."

Max scoffed. "Just Lewis? That was disgusting! You drove brilliantly, Y/N. You deserved that win."

Y/N offered a weak smile. "Thanks, Max. I appreciate it."

Across the paddock, Lewis watched the interaction unfold. A pang of guilt twisted in his gut as he saw Nico comfort Y/N, wiping away a stray tear that escaped her determined facade. The playful banter, the shared laughter of their childhood – it seemed a lifetime ago. He had let the rivalry consume him, turning a sweet memory into a bitter enemy.

Later that evening, Y/N exited the restroom, her face drawn. Lewis, who had been washing his hands, froze. He knew he owed her an apology, a genuine one. He opened his mouth to speak, but Y/N brushed past him, ignoring his presence altogether.

"Y/N, wait," he pleaded. "I need to apologize for what I said. It was…"

Y/N stopped, her back stiff. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. The dam broke when Lewis spoke again.

"It was unprofessional and disrespectful," he continued, his voice low. "You are a phenomenal driver, Y/N, and you deserve every bit of your success."

She spun around, her voice trembling with unshed tears. "Don't you dare," she choked out. "Don't you dare act like you fucking care now. You and Nico… you fell out, you started hating each other so deeply that... you stopped being in each others lives. And I had to watch him lose a best friend, and in the process, I lost you. I cried for days when you stopped talking to him, Lewis. And you know what? You didn't even call or text me one time. Not when everyone on Twitter called me a nepo baby, not when I got into that crash in F2. Not when the entire racing community said that I didn't deserve a place because i was a woman. You were part my whole world. My. Whole. Fucking. Universe. And it was so easy for you to leave and cut me out. So no Lewis. I'm not giving in this time because as much as you claim to be Mister. Nice Guy I know your reality and it is the fact that you didn't care one bit."

Lewis felt the floor drop out from under him. He had no right to be surprised. He had pushed Y/N away, collateral damage in his war with Nico. The pain etched on her face mirrored the forgotten ache in his own heart.

"Y/N…" he stammered, his voice heavy with regret. But the words died in his throat. He had hurt her, pushed her away, and apologizing now felt hollow in the face of his past actions.

Y/N wiped away a tear, her voice laced with a steely resolve. "Save it, Lewis. The damage is done." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Lewis alone with the weight of his remorse.

credits for gif - @lewishamiltongifs

taglist: @laura-naruto-fan1998 , @xoscar03 , @torossosebs , @jajouska , @lindsayjoy444 , @barcelonaloverf1life

🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️

leave a like! leave a comment! reblogs are appreciated!

[nina-renmen]

loved the makarov story:D can’t wait for part 2

Thank you! I’m glad you’re interested in it. I already have part two ready so I might as well post it. It’s taken me a bit longer to write as I’ve been juggling with school, work, ect. I’ll try and produce more but I can’t really promise anything yet!

Bleed for me Pt.2

Makarov x black reader

Warnings: Makarov has Yandere tendencies, reader is said to have braids, killing, stalking, threats

(If anyone wants a male version don’t be afraid to ask. Story is under the cut)

The base was quiet, your angered yells no longer filled the corridor. The harsh banging of the doors ceased, like still waves after a storm. It was almost too quiet. This prompted Makarov to get up from his comfortable office chair that was way to expensive to just be an office chair. Making his way down the halls he was oblivious to the dead body that was on the first floor. Your body hunched over it, pulling a pistol from it.

As he opened your shared bedroom confusion washed over him. He looked at the room that was only missing your presence. Anger over took its place. Your suitcase was still there but your backpack and immediate essentials were gone. You’d gotten up and left.

He slammed the door shut, shouting commands to his Russian soldiers. He would turn this place upside down if need be. He couldn’t let you go, he wouldn’t allow it. He’d become too attached to your presence. You knew his secrets, you knew that he wasn’t always a cold hearted monster. His enemies would try and take you, pull information out of you.

And unfortunately for you, that’s exactly what they did.

Y/n ran down the empty streets. The muscle memory in her body kicking in as her legs strengthened after being pampered for so long. She sped up, occasionally patting her pocket to make sure the plane ticket was still in her pocket.

It seemed as if she were running for a while. Twenty? No…maybe thirty minutes? Y/n couldn’t call a taxi, the people in these parts of town knew who Makarov was. They knew that y/n was his ‘woman’ and would immediately report it.

She was on her own.

As y/n rounded the corner she finally crossed into the next town. The airport was within sight. As she began to near it she realized that a car had passed her three-no…four times. Ane cursed under her breath, making a sharp turn into an alleyway where a large man tackled her down.

“Het the hall off of me!” Y/n sneered at the person in Russian, pulling out a pistol she’d looted from the dead body of the Russian soldier. Pressing the barrel against his stomach she put her finger on the trigger.

The two struggled on the ground, grabbing her wrist he pulled it out from under him but the gunshot rang out. Going straight through his arm.

“Fuckin hell lass!” He cursed in English. His Scottish accent was noticeably making y/n’s eyes glance down at at the flag that was on his vest.

Oh…..he was apart of the uk military

Immediately he grabbed her wrist, twisting it, forcing her to drop the gun. “I….I thought you were one of his men.”

The sound of multiple other pairs of footsteps reached her ears. “Shit…I-I didn’t mean it.” Y/n spoke in a distressed manner. Her hands covering the wound, pressing down to stop the bleeding.

“Tis’ fine.” He groaned, putting his hand on top of yours to press down harder. From her peripheral vision she could see three other men. She removed one hand, reaching for her gun. Well…until her wrist was grabbed harshly. She yelped in pain as it was twisted behind her back and she was pulled away from the unknown man.

“Where’s Makarov?” A deep, rough voice barked out.

“If you think I’m going back there then you’re wrong! Get the hell off of me!” Y/n sneered at the bearded man. “You ought to kill me before taking me back to him.”

There was a small silence. “You’re not with Makarov?” A dark skinned man asked, he crouched down beside you. “No! Of course not. I’m trying to get away from him and if he finds you with me he’ll kill all of you.” Y/n said in a rushed tone, she tried to wiggle out of the man’s grasp but he kept a strong grip on her.

“You’re still comin with us-“

“Like hell I am! I havnt done shit” Y/n barked at the bearded man.

“We can still put you behind bars for illegal underground fighting.” The man threatened, pulling y/n up to her feel.

“Captain be gentle with the little lady.” The wounded man spoke, getting up to his feet as well. His bleeding had stopped.

The man known as ‘Captain’ only shot his wounded team member a look before nudging y/n to get into the vehicle. He grumbled something along the lines of ‘Soap being soft of pretty women.’

[lamentus1]

For those wondering what the email is for Charlotte Moore Head of Content at the BBC and thinking of sending her a message about your love for OFMD (as per my post earlier) it’s charlotte.moore@bbc.co.uk and here’s what I sent if you need some inspiration (obviously best not to cut and paste!)

Dear Mrs Moore,

I’m writing on behalf of Our Flag Means Death fans in the UK who are patiently waiting for the second season of Max’s pirate comedy staring Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby to air here.

We’ve had some distressing news this week that Max won’t be renewing the show for what would be the third and final season. This is devastating for a lot of people who are emotionally connected to this drama.

At its heart Our Flag Means Death is a love story, but it also explores identity, acceptance, and the search for belonging. This goes some way to explain why it means so much to so many, and why it’s such a hit.

Our Flag Means Death, with its racially diverse cast and lgbtq+ representation, has a devoted fan base. An extremely passionate fan base that extends far beyond the lgbtq+ community.

The reason I am writing is to ensure that you recognise that the Our Flag fandom is calling for a third season, we are very organised with activities planned in the US that will hopefully make a big impact!

The demand is there for a third season - and for the second season to air in the UK. When the second season aired on Max in the US last October it averaged nearly 45 times the average series demand in its first 10 days, according to The Wrap. Currently it has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Please don’t ignore the Our Flag Means Death’s dedicated UK fans and ensure that season 2 airs soon. And if you have any influence over the future of the show I appeal to you to use it. Help show runner David Jenkins and his crew continue the story for one more season.

[girlactionfigure]

*ISRAEL REALTIME* - "Connecting the World to Israel in Realtime"

▪️CORRECTION & UPDATE - MEITAR not MITAR, previous report on school vandalized was in Meitar, near Be’er Sheva, not Mitar, near Netanya.  Two women from Hora who work at the school are suspected and were arrested by police. 

▪️HOSTAGE BABY KFIR TURNS ONE.. where is he?  Is he alive?  Why are we delivering aid and medicines with no proof of life or return?

▪️JORDAN ATTACKS INTO SYRIA.. The Jordanian Air Force attacked targets identified with drug dealers and border smugglers again tonight in southern Syria.  According to reports from Syrian opposition sources, there are about 10 dead as a result of the Jordanian attacks in Syria. Most of them are women and children.

▪️IRAN TRAINED GAZA SNIPERS.. A Shabak investigation of a terrorist showed that Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists from Gaza were trained on Iranian soil to be snipers.

▪️HAMAS CONDEMNS U.S… The senior member Hamas, Abu Zohri, condemned the classification of the Houthi rebels in Yemen as a terrorist organization by the Biden administration.

🚨 RED SEA-Houthis Front 

 ▪️HOUTHIS CLAIM.. The military spokesman of the Houthis:  As part of the response to the American-British attack against us, we launched several missiles at the American ship Genco Picardy in the Gulf of Aden. Target hits were achieved.  An Indian Navy ship in the Gulf of Aden responded to a distress call from a ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands that was attacked by a drone.​​​​ The ship that was attacked in the Gulf of Aden is the MV Ginko Picardi and it flies the flag of the Marshall Islands.

 ▪️US / UK ATTACK HOUTHIS.. fourth attack by the Americans and the British against the Houthis in Yemen, targets were attacked early in the morning in Sana'a, Tez, Bicha'a, Hudaydah, Damar and Zada.

🚨 REGIONAL War 

▪️PAKISTAN ATTACKS IRAN.. the Pakistani army attacked 7 targets, some of them near the bases of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, in the Sawaran region of southeastern Iran.   According to its statement, Pakistan attacked "terrorist bases" of “terrorist organizations” in the Sistan region of Balochistan.  Pakistan: “We fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.”

(( Noting that Pakistan has a very large military, is at constant conflict with India, has nuclear weapons, and buys and is trained on American weaponry including F-16’s. ))

▪️CONFLICTING REPORTS OF US EVACUATING OR REINFORCING SYRIA BASES.. one report states US moved an additional 1,500 troops to Syrian ‘anti-ISIS’ bases.  Another report (Arab media) says “US forces have evacuated the Hemo base in Syria, which is west of the city of Qamishli in Al-Hasakah countryside, after it came under multiple attacks by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.  The forces have reportedly moved to the Tal Baydar base West of Al-Hasakah.  It is considered one of the US occupation forces' most vital bases, as it is close to Qamishli airport and contains a training camp for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).”  

🔶 GAZA-HAMAS Front 

▪️Air and artillery strikes by our forces in the area of ​​Jabalia and Sheikh Radwan in the Gaza Strip.  The IDF left these areas, the residents began to return, and the terrorists along with them.

🔶 JUDEA-SAMARIA Front 

▪️NOOR-SHAMS, firefight, security forces are demolishing terrorist houses in the El Manashia neighborhood, for the 2nd day.  During the activity, terrorists throwing IED’s at the troops and using IED’s on vehicles.

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

UK Crew Email Prompt - Courtesy of @lamentus1

----------------------------

I'm writing on behalf of Our Flag Means Death fans in the UK who are patiently waiting for the second season of Max’s pirate comedy staring Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby to air here.

We’ve had some distressing news that Max won’t be renewing the show for what would be the third and final season. This is devastating for a lot of people who are emotionally connected to this drama.

At its heart Our Flag Means Death is a love story, but it also explores identity, acceptance, and the search for belonging. This goes some way to explain why it means so much to so many, and why it’s such a hit.

Our Flag Means Death, with its racially diverse cast and lgbtq+ representation, has a devoted fan base. An extremely passionate fan base that extends far beyond the lgbtq+ community.

The reason I am writing is to ensure that you recognise that the Our Flag fandom is calling for a third season, we are very organised with activities planned in the US on Friday 19 January that will hopefully make a big impact!

The demand is there for a third season - and for the second season to air in the UK. When the second season aired on Max in the US last October it averaged nearly 45 times the average series demand in its first 10 days, according to The Wrap. Currently it has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Please don’t ignore the Our Flag Means Death’s dedicated UK fans and ensure that season 2 airs soon. And if you have any influence over the future of the show I appeal to you to use it. Help show runner David Jenkins and his crew continue the story for one more season.

[beardedmrbean]

A British man accused of public disorder after joking about blowing up a flight has gone on trial in Spain.

Aditya Verma made the comment on Snapchat on his way to the island of Menorca with friends in July 2022.

The message, sent before Mr Verma departed Gatwick airport, read: "On my way to blow up the plane (I'm a member of the Taliban)."

Mr Verma told a Madrid court on Monday: "The intention was never to cause public distress or cause public harm."

If found guilty, the university student faces a hefty bill for expenses after two Spanish Air Force jets were scrambled.

Mr Verma's message was picked up by the UK security services who flagged it to Spanish authorities while the easyJet plane was still in the air.

A court in Madrid heard it was assumed the message triggered alarm bells after being picked up via Gatwick's Wi-Fi network.

Shortly after, the court was told two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were sent to flank the aircraft.

One jet followed the plane until it landed at Menorca, where the plane was searched extensively.

Mr Verma, who was 18 at the time, was arrested. He was kept in a police cell for two days and was later released on bail, the court was told.

Back in the UK, he was questioned by the British military intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6, before he returned home to Orpington, Kent.

Appearing in court on Monday, Mr Verma - who is now studying economics at Bath University - said the message was "a joke in a private group setting".

"It was just sent to my friends I was travelling with on the day," he said.

Pressed about the purpose of the message, Mr Verma said: "Since school, it's been a joke because of my features... It was just to make people laugh."

Asked what he thought when he saw the fighter jets flanking the plane, Mr Verma said: "The Russia-Ukraine war was happening so I thought it was a military exercise related to [that] conflict."

He said that the plane's pilot made an announcement, telling passengers that the fighter jets had been scrambled because of a distress signal that had been sent by mistake.

Police experts told the court that they combed Mr Verma's phone and, although they found that he had researched clashes between Pakistan and India and the possibilities of an Islamic State attack in that area, they did not find anything of interest that linked Mr Verma to jihadist radicalism.

Mr Verma is not facing terrorism charges or a possible jail term, but could be fined up to €22,500 (£19,300) if found guilty and the Spanish defence ministry is demanding €95,000 in expenses.

The court told the BBC that a verdict in Mr Verma's case would come in the next few days.

[preshtagonist]

a bunch of old wrens! the first four are the very first concepts i made of him, the last one is closer to his current look. British man sees visions of the future and thinks he's stuck in a survival horror existence. more info under the cut

Wren Foster (he/him) temporaryTenderfoot [TT]

GENERAL INFO Age: 19 Symbol: Fleur-de-lis Guardian: Father Home: Nottingham, UK Sexuality: Questioning Relationship status: Single Typing Color: Green (#006E37) Typing style: Proper case and grammar. Chronic double-texter. DROPS PUNCTUATION AND USES CAPSLOCK WHEN IN DISTRESS, ONLY USING PUNCTUATION IF IT EMPHASIZES HIS DISTRESS!!!

COMBAT INFO  Fetch Modus: Sash Modus - Captchalogued items turn into badges and patches that go onto his sash! Strife Specibus: axeKind, bladeKind, rifleKind Weapon: Pocket Knife, Hatchet

GAME INFO Game Entry Item: capture the flag? Sprite: pre-entry, fox doll(?); post-entry, dead dreamself Pre-Exile: White Queen Post-Exile: Wayfaring Quarry Server Player: Kade Winters Client Player: Maia Ortega Ectosibling: Maia Ortega

CLASSPECT INFO Godtier: Seer of Doom Dreaming Moon: Prospit Awake or Asleep? If awake, when did they wake up? Between 16 and 17, after he and his friend’s real life meetup.

Land of Rot and Tinder

MISC INFO Zodiac Sign: Virgo MBTI: ISTJ (previously ESTJ) Enneagram: 9w1, The Dreamer

He used to be a high-ranking boy scout, but once he woke up on Prospit and looked into Skaia’s clouds, he became highly paranoid and unable to function. He feels a strong compulsion to follow superstitions (knocking on wood, for example) to avoid what he believes are “imagined realities” but are actually visions of the future Skaia has shown him in his dreams. Canonically he has insomnia, depression, & OCD.

These visions started around 3 years after the GD kids meet online, soon after they first meet in person at 16-17. Wren was 13-14 when he met the other kids.

Wren knows how to play the harmonica and the bugle-horn!

[rabbitcruiser]

U.S. Coast Guard Birthday 

Show your support for the brave men and women of the US Coast Guard who put their lives on the line to save ours, from fishing boats accidents to hurricanes.

US Coast Guard Birthday honors the courageous work of coast guards. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Atlantic coast of the United States in 2005, the US Coast Guards saved over 33,500 lives, an estimated 24,000 of these were rescued from peril in severely dangerous conditions. And that just scratches the surface of the important work that these brave men and women do. So get excited, because it is time to celebrate the US Coast Guard Birthday!

History of US Coast Guard Birthday

The history of the coast guard in the United States can be traced back to the year 1790 when it was established by the first Congress who allowed Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton to combat smuggling and tariff evaders with his fleet of ten ships. Originally called the Revenue Marine Service, or Revenue Cutter Service, the service was combined in 1915 with the US Lifesaving Service to become the Coast Guard.

During times of peace, the US Coast Guard acts as part of the Department of Homeland Security and then becomes part of the Department of Defense in times of war. Now, with more than 230 years of history, this important entity offers a great deal of support through navigation, port security, environmental protection and wartime readiness.

In the United States, there are thousands of events nation-wide for people to get involved in and show their support. In the UK, although not directly associated with HM Coast Guard, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) is a charity organization with the sole aim of rescuing those in distress at sea. They launch over 6500 times a year, and have saved over 134,000 lives since their founding. Pakistan Coast Guard Day is celebrated on September 8.

So bake a cake, throw a party and get appropriately excited about celebrating and enjoying the US Coast Guard Birthday this summer!

How to Celebrate US Coast Guard Birthday

Have a blast with the observance of celebration of this important day. Join in on a wide variety of activities for the US Coast Guard Birthday, including some of these:

Throw a US Coast Guard Birthday Party

Those who have been members of the coast guard, who have benefited from the work of the coast guard, or even those who just appreciate it can celebrate by doing what people often do for birthdays – throw a party! Just like any party, the US Coast Guard Birthday deserves festive decorations such as balloons and streamers, some good music, a gathering of friends and, of course, a big cake!

Make it a coast guard themed party by decorating with boats, anchors and all sorts of sea-themed ideas, as well as employing the American flag and the US Coast Guard flag. The snacks can also be of a maritime theme, with a cake made in the shape of a ship, cookies decorated like life preservers, and even a bowl full of individually wrapped Life Savers candies! Don’t forget to play the US Coast Guard Theme Song in the background, “Semper Paratus”.

Learn More About the US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard Birthday celebration is a great motivation to learn a bit more about this important service. Do a bit of online research, check out some books from the local library, or head on over to the National Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut.

Make a US Coast Guard Birthday Playlist

Have loads of fun celebrating the US Coast Guard Birthday with music! Create a playlist that includes maritime and coastal themed songs, getting started with some of these tunes:

Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin (1959)

(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (1967)

If I Had a Boat by Lyle Lovett (1987)

Banana Boat (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte (1956)

Source

[swlongwave]

https://www.redbubble.com/people/SW-Longwave/shop?asc=u Cafe Racer This holiday season, this artwork will make a unique gift when printed on apparel or duvet covers for your loved ones. 

[menalez]

How'd you get with her at the time like just wondering cause they sound insane

i’ll be talking in past tense so i’ll be using she here (& i’m saying this bc i know my ex still would view my blog from time to time and at this point might be looking for anything to validate the image they’ve invented of me to look like a victim).

so i used to have this semi-popular tumblr blog and u just know from where i’m starting that this is not gonna go well. she thirst followed me & soon after i came out, she dmed me and got my skype. from the very beginning, i was told by her that she’s from monaco & a foster kid. as we got talking i learned more details.. in hindsight it’s just insane and all are red flags but i was 18 and trusting and naive. i learned that she was born and grew up in monaco, to a descendant of the monaco royal family and a non-royal woman. the prince father was abusive as fuck and did horrific unspeakable things and tried to murder the mother, and so ended up getting prosecuted for it or sth. the mom had so much trauma and had to get help and decided to give up all her kids & so they were separated and moved to diff countries in foster homes. my ex claimed to have stayed at so many horrific foster homes but one that stuck out to me was one with a son that held a knife to her throat and sexually abused her. again i want to emphasise, none of this actually happened. absolutely none of it. she also had this best friend from growing up in foster homes who she introduced me to. i was first asked to dm this friend bc she was feeling unwell and going to pass out & said friend basically said she was on the floor unconscious etc. this friend would msg me sometimes like omg what did u say to her she’s in shambles!!!! one time this friend said that she always writes about me in her diary and asked me if i wanna see. i was like ooooo i do want to see but that’s an invasion of privacy so maybe one day she’ll just show it to me herself. i dmed her after like omg u have a diary? and she snaps!! she’s like omg how do u know about my diary???! no one knows about my diary!!! and then the dramatics start. i’m suddenly in this drama over a diary, i didn’t even do anything wrong and i was basically being asked to reveal how ik about this dykery and i worried that my mistake of mentioning the diary would result in this close friendship between her & this fellow foster child ending. so instead i stayed quiet and was being emotionally manipulated and guilt tripped almost, for what??? absolutely nothing. literally nothing. the “friend” ended up confessing to her and said omg why is there so much hair on the floor of her bathroom 🥺 which would be like trying to tell me that she’s mentally distressed bc of this etc. just generally making me worry about her.

as mentioned earlier, it turned out none of that was true. that “friend” DIDNT EXIST, it was literally just her. emotionally manipulating me. for months.

i cut her off for around a year and then we’re talking again and for some dumb reason i forgave her, and then we were in a relationship for a year and a half. we met irl in the UK where i was studying at the time & she came to visit. ofc she was shitty in that relationship and ofc here we are 7 years later and she’s still being shitty to me despite me doing nothing to warrant it. in the end she decided she was soooo angry at me for daring to not want to be a punching bag forever that she decided to obsessively lie about me & my family for 5 whole years. the (recently) ex gf literally believed this whole new fake life my ex invented was true and was lied to for 3 years & i also found out about that recently too. it’s horrible

[pashterlengkap]

A right-wing extremist called a “Drag Race” star a “pedo.” Now he’s paying the price

Laurence Fox, a prominent right-wing activist and former actor in the United Kingdom, has been told to pay £180,000 ($225,242) to two LGBTQ+ men, former Stonewall trustee Simon Blake and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Crystal, following comments Fox made on X (formerly Twitter) falsely referring to them as pedophiles. Fox had previously lost a libel battle involving the two men back in January, when high court judge Justice Collins Rice ruled that he had defamed them. He has been ordered to pay each of them £90,000 ($112,621). This defamation occurred when Fox had decried the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, calling for a boycott after they made a social post celebrating Black History Month. Blake and Crystal, whose legal name is Colin Seymour, had called him a racist for his post, after which he replied with an accusation that the two men are pedophiles. “By calling Mr. Blake and Mr. Seymour pedophiles, Mr. Fox subjected them to a wholly undeserved public ordeal,” said Rice. “It was a gross, groundless and indefensible libel, with distressing and harmful real-world consequences for them.” Fox had previously attempted to countersue both of the men in response to them calling him a racist. He alleged that being called a racist was “reputation-destroying” and “career-ending,” and that he had lost work as a result of it. The claim was dismissed following the January ruling. Rice called the libel against the two men “distinctly homophobic.” She added, “They are entitled by law to an award of money, to compensate them for those damaging effects, and to ensure that they can put this matter behind them, vindicated and confident that no one can sensibly doubt their blamelessness of that disgusting slur and that they were seriously wronged by it.” The judge ruled that if Fox repeated these allegations, he could be held in contempt of court. Fox is the founder of the U.K. Reform Party, and had made his career starring in television programs like ITV’s Lewis. He has previously ran for mayor of London unsuccessfully. He is also a former pundit for the right-wing news network GB News. In the last, Fox has posted pictures of the Pride flag as a swastika, burned the flag on video, engaged in blackface, mocked Black Lives Matter, and opposed national COVID safety guidelines such as lockdowns and social distancing. Crystal alleged following the January ruling that after Fox’s statements on Twitter, he received a great deal of abuse. “It’s horrible,” he said to PinkNews. “It’s been three years of a pretty-non-stop barrage of abuse, especially whenever I put myself in a public sphere where I’m going to be encountering people who aren’t part of the drag community or drag fans or the queer community.” The judge expressed sympathy for Blake and Crystal, saying that “They had been forced to fight a libel claim all the way through to trial with every conceivable point being taken against them. They have done so under the sustained hailstorm of Mr Fox’s exercise of his rights to amplified free speech.” Fox referred to the ruling as a “bullies charter” and expressed his grievances with it on Twitter, saying, “You get the same wonga if you lose a leg at work. So surreal it’s almost funny.” The concept of referring to LGBTQ+ people as “pedophiles” or “groomers” has been going on for years and encourages violence against the LGBTQ+ community. The slur has especially been used against drag performers who have been vilified internationally for allegedly “sexualizing children” through “adult” performances. http://dlvr.it/T61Q6m

[homedesgin]

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[jewelry-making]

US says it shot down four drones in southern Red Sea launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen

The United States shot down four drones headed towards a US destroyer in the southern Red Sea and launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, US Central Command (Centcom) said. “These attacks represent the 14th and 15th attacks on commercial shipping by Houthi militants since Oct. 17,” Centcom said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have disrupted world trade for weeks with attacks on ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea in what they say is a response to Israel’s war in Gaza. The US Naval Forces Central Command responded to distress calls from two ships under attack, Centcom said.A Norwegian-flagged, owned and operated chemical/oil tanker reported a near miss of a Houthi drone attack, and a Gabon-owned, Indian-flagged crude oil tanker reported being hit by a one-way attack, the post said. Two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles were also “fired into international shipping lanes in the Southern Red Sea from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen”, it said. “No ships reported being impacted by the ballistic missiles.” The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency earlier reported that an uncrewed aerial system had exploded near a vessel in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, 45 nautical miles southwest of Saleef, Yemen. Meanwhile, a Japanese-owned chemical tanker struck Saturday off the coast of India was targeted by a drone “fired from Iran”, the Pentagon said. Saturday’s attack took place about 10am local time (0600 GMT) and caused no casualties aboard the vessel, it said, adding that a fire was extinguished. The US military “remains in communication with the vessel as it continues toward a destination in India,” it added. It was the first time the Pentagon openly accused Iran of directly targeting ships since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas, according to Agence France-Presse.The Pentagon statement said the MV Chem Pluto ship flew under a Liberian flag and was operated by a Dutch entity, although the ship is owned by a Japanese company. Ambrey, a maritime security firm, said the “chemical/products tanker … was Israel-affiliated” and had been on its way from Saudi Arabia to India. The Indian navy said it had responded to a request for assistance. “An aircraft was dispatched and it reached overhead the vessel and established safety of the involved ship and its crew,” a navy official told AFP. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the strike. The Red Sea attacks on shipping since the start of the Israel-Hamas war have prompted major firms to reroute their cargo vessels around the southern tip of Africa, despite the higher fuel costs of much longer voyages. The Houthi rebels have launched more than 100 drone and missile attacks, targeting 10 merchant vessels involving more than 35 different countries, according to the Pentagon. On Saturday, an official in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned of the forced closure of other waterways unless Israel halted its war with Hamas. “With the continuation of these crimes, America and its allies should expect the emergence of new resistance forces and the closure of other waterways,” Mohammad Reza Naqdi said, quoted by Iran’s Tasnim news agency. The United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian three days ago, saying more than a dozen countries had agreed to participate in an effort that will involve joint patrols in Red Sea waters near Yemen.

[featurenews]

‘Horror beyond words’: how Channel distress calls were ‘ignored’ 19 times before 2021 disaster

Investigation reveals that understaffed Dover control room was overwhelmed by calls from people in trouble before 27 died at sea • Read more: UK coastguard ‘left Channel migrants adrift’ On the afternoon of 3 November 2021, a woman called Hampshire police. Her brother was crossing the Channel in a small boat that day, she said via a translator. But something awful had just happened. Twenty minutes earlier he’d texted to say that smugglers had begun shoving passengers overboard. “Loads had been kicked off and were in the water”, fighting for their lives in the treacherous currents of the world’s busiest shipping lane. Police passed the details to HM Coastguard and at 4.57pm an operator flagged the incident, according to internal logs obtained by the Observer and Liberty Investigates. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/29/uk-coastguard-ignored-distress-calls-2021-channel-boat-disaster?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=tumblr

[jwood718]

“Brianna Ghey’s family say her death has left a ‘massive hole’” The Guardian

Ghey family photo of Brianna via The Guardian.

Brianna Ghey, 16, was found stabbed in Culcheth’s Linear Park, between Manchester and Liverpool (UK) this past Saturday February 11.  Robyn Vinter, writing on Monday, reported:

“...the family said: ‘Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger-than-life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her...The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.’...Emma Mills, the headteacher at Brianna’s school, Birchwood Community high school, said: ‘We are shocked and truly devastated to hear of the death of Brianna. This is understandably a very difficult and distressing time for many and we will do our utmost to support our pupils and wider school community.’...

Brianna, who was transgender, had a popular TikTok channel with thousands of followers. Police said there was no evidence to suggest her killing was a hate crime.”

The un-named 15 year old suspects were arrested, and as Josh Halliday writes on Wednesday 15 February, have been formally charged with Ms. Ghey’s murder.

“Vigils were held in cities across the UK on Tuesday night in memory of the teenager, who was described by her family as ‘strong, fearless, one of a kind.’ In Liverpool, a crowd of at least 300 people gathered quietly to pay their respects.

The vigil was organised by Brianna’s friends for members and allies of the trans community in Liverpool to show support and solidarity. Alongside posters of Brianna, people held trans and LGBTQ+ pride flags. Some dressed in the trans pride flag’s colours. Further vigils have been planned for Wednesday night.”

On Tuesday, “Cheshire constabulary said...the stabbing was being treated as a possible hate crime, alongside other lines of inquiry, but urged the public to ‘avoid speculation online and be wary of sharing misinformation relating to this case.’” (Vinter).

Thanks to Neil Gaiman’s blog for bringing this to my attention.