It wasn’t a binding parliamentary debate in the way you’re probably thinking of. The conclusion was that sex is real, but it doesn’t actually mean anything without a bill being brought forward, and there’s no sign of that happening.

Afaik, it’s not something vets do as standard here.

Gender reassignment, not identity is a protected characteristic. That means you need a GRC. School kids can’t get a GRC.

Just seems odd the way inflation is right now!

Yeah, I do. He probably doesn’t need flea, as he doesn’t mix much with other dogs, but I like to have him wormed as he eats all manner of random shite.

I used to use faecal egg counts for the horses, but it’s not so readily available for dogs and, as with horses, it’s not 100% effective.

Or, indeed:

That such discrimination appears to be routine in the bank raises huge questions about the culture within it, as well as in the NatWest group and the financial sector as a whole. A parliamentary inquiry will now be needed to get to the bottom of this matter.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/coutts-must-be-held-to-account-over-nigel-farage/

It’s getting ridiculous. They definitely need to clarify the law on this.

On the plus side, that’s some nice balanced reporting for the BBC.

I can’t do any kind of comparison: I was with a different vet then, who not only prescribed different pills but also had one of those health plans where you pay so much per month and get jabs, flea and wormer included.

I went to pick up Dog’s flea and worm treatments today.

They were £45. Last time, they were £48. The time before, they were £55. Same pills, same vet, same weight of dog.

I’m not complaining, but I am confused.

Teeny frog.

Jesus, just let the poor guy retire and sit on his porch.

https://reclaimthenet.org/new-home-video-doorbell-has-social-media-powered-facial-recognition

Irvinei’s Visitor Log feature, which logs exhaustive details about arrivals and departures, may seem useful on the surface. It leverages images from social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to inform homeowners about their visitors. Yet, such extensive data gathering could potentially infringe upon the visitors’ privacy. The system also provides alerts on potential threats, such as alleged stalkers or ex-spouses, based on its ‘unwanted person’ alert feature. While this can be seen as an added layer of security, the repercussions of false positives cannot be ignored.

Furthermore, Irvinei seems to extend its reach beyond individual homes, attempting to empower law enforcement agencies through integrated video footage and facial recognition technology. While it might contribute to combating crime, it also raises questions about pervasive surveillance and potential misuse.

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/witch-windows/

It turns out that witch windows aren’t intended to benefit the broomstick-equipped crones of fairy tale lore, but are actually meant to thwart them. Witches don’t have the capacity to tilt their conveyances 45 degrees, so the tilted design keeps them from flying into the home. (Apparently, witches don’t even have enough brain capacity to recognize the many perfectly vertical windows through which they could enter, either.)

Rod Liddle is an arse at times, but he can turn a phrase.

There is/was a Reddit sub called something like r/InstaVsReality that posted pre-and post filter / photoshop images of the same person. It was terrifying what they could do, even a few years ago when I used to look at it. I dread to think what it’s like now.

I wonder if it’s partly the avocado toast effect. No point saving for a deposit on a house you’ll never be able to afford….

I remember a few years ago, eavesdropping on a couple of young couples at a hotel, one of the lads was saying his gran had left him money for a deposit and he’d used it to get a fancy car, and leased not even bought outright.

Jesus, that poor man.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/barbies-world-the-normalisation-of-cosmetic-surgery/

If beauty is seen as something you can buy, not just something you’re born with, the result can be an arms race. We see botox is sold as being part of a girl’s make-up kit (‘No different from mascara and blush,’ said one advert). Every time a new example of beauty tech arrives on the market, it is seized upon by the Instagram influencers, who promote it to their millions of followers. Women suddenly find that a ‘normal’ beauty regime goes well beyond manicures and hair dye and now includes regular trips to a surgical theatre, at a cost of tens of thousands a year.

My own suspicion is that this effect is partly a consequence of constant exposure to images of extraordinarily beautiful women – images amplified by filters, as well as aesthetic treatments – which alter a girl’s perception of her own pool of so-called ‘intrasexual competition’. Put differently, girls of the past would have looked at their peer group and seen a bunch of normal kids just as chubby and acne-scarred as themselves. Now, they look at their screens and ask: ‘How can I compete?