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International Pronouns Day Date in the current year: October 21, 2020

International Pronouns DayOn the third Wednesday of October, transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming individuals around the world, as well as their allies, observe International Pronouns Day. It is an annual awareness event that seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace.
Being addressed by the pronouns that match their assigned sex instead of the pronouns that match the gender they identify with is a common problem that many transgender people have to face. And the situation becomes even more complicated when it comes to non-binary and gender nonconforming people because many languages are gender binary. You’re supposed to pick either female or male pronouns, but what should you do if you identify as neither?

According to the team behind International Pronouns Day, referring to people by the third person pronouns they’ve chosen for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being misgendered hurts, even when it stems from ignorance rather than intent, so the main goal of International Pronouns Day is to educate people about personal pronouns, including gender-neutral pronouns used by non-binary and gender nonconforming people.

For example, in English, there’s the singular they. Originally used in situations where a person’s gender was unknown or irrelevant, it has been adopted into gender-inclusive language. Other gender-neutral pronouns used in the LGBTQ+ community include e/es/emself, xe/xyrs/xemself, ze/hir/hirself, ze/zers/zemself, zhe/zhers/zhimself, and others.

The originators of the International Pronouns Day are U.S. based, so the campaign website focuses on the English language. However, people from non-English-speaking countries whose languages are gendered like English are welcome to organize their version of the campaign, focusing on their language context and the specific needs of their transgender, non-binary and gender nonconforming communities. The first International Pronouns Day was observed in 2018 by people from 25 countries in every inhabited continent.

...to `Kahuti Lives`?

World Osteoporosis Day is annually observed on October 20. Observation of this day raises public awareness of osteoporosis and its dangers.
World Osteoporosis Day was created by the United Kingdom's National Osteoporosis Society in 1996. European Commission supported this observance and since 1997 it's annually organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. The World Health Organization co-sponsored this observance in 1998 and 1999.

Every year a different theme is chosen to organize observance. The theme of the day helps draw attention to the problematic issues, that need urgent actions. The theme of the observance also helps determinate the focus of a year-long campaign, that will be held in over 90 countries around the world.

Osteoporosis affects over half of population of our planet aged 50 and above, mostly of whom are women. This condition is responsible for millions of fractures of hips, wrists, lumbar vertebrae and ribs. Aging of bones is a preventable process and World Osteoporosis Day campaign helps people remind about the disease.

Quiz time

If the Track and Trace people ask you to self isolate, the police are given your details so they can check up on you.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Date in the current year: October 17, 2020

International Day for the Eradication of PovertyIn 1993 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty was established by the United Nations General Assembly and since then it is observed every year on October 17.
This date wasn't chosen occasionally. About 100,000 people from different countries gathered at Trocadéro in Paris, France, to honor the memory of victims of hunger, poverty, violence and fear on October 17, 1987. They demanded to keep the human rights and supported the testimonial by Joseph Wresinski that says: “Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty”.

This holiday was established to point out that living in poverty is an acute problem in the Third World countries. The problem of poverty is too widespread that is why it may be the reason for social unrest and threat the world's safety. Nowadays the fighting with poverty is considered to be a contribution to change the world and see the better future for all of us.

All the activities held this day by the UN are aimed to hear the voice of poor people. They also can contribute to fight with poverty by describing their experience or experience of people whom they know.

I went to a coffee shop today for first time since lockdown started. Used my app to scan the QR code on the window and it worked. All was fine with the drinks. Cafe was quite busy, woman next to us feeding baby, bloke across the way a bit annoying coughing a lot.

About an hour later got a red alert notification from the app. "someone in your prozimity has tested positive for corona virus in the previous 7 days". Tapped it but it didn't tell me any more.
I do wonder what is someone who tested positive doing in a coffee shop?

Just heard on BBC news that households cannot meet indoors now, went to the website and put in postcode and it says you can.

Date in the current year: October 15, 2020

This observance was established by the UN General Assembly in 2007 and the first relating events were held in the countries around the world in 2008.
Women play an important role in the development of each country. Their work is required in many spheres of industry and they are key figures in development of agricultural economy in rural regions. Women are engaged in growing crops, cattle breeding and other forms of agricultural activity.

Rural women have a limited access to health care, education and credit, that is why they face many problems and can't help the growth of world economy. Empowering them is a way to achieve wellbeing of rural families and communities.

The UN General Assembly calls on every member state annually organize appropriate events corresponding to celebration of International Day of Rural Women. This will raise public awareness of the critical role and contribution of rural women in enhancing rural and agricultural development.

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World Arthritis Day Date in the current year: October 12, 2020

World Arthritis DayWorld Arthritis Day is an annual awareness day observed on October 12 in many countries throughout the world. Its main goal is to disseminate information about joint disorders that are collectively known as arthritis, as well as to raise public awareness of challenges that people with arthritis have to face every day.
“Arthritis” is an umbrella term often used to describe any disorder that affects joints. Generally by arthritis people mean one of the diseases where joint pain is primary, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and others. However, arthritis can also be a secondary condition to a wide range of diseases, from psoriasis and celiac disease to Lyme disease and lupus. Overall there are over 100 types of arthritis.

Typical symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion, skin redness, warmth, and swelling of the affected joints. The disease typically becomes more common with age, but some of its types affect young people and even children and teenagers (for example, juvenile idiopathic arthritis). Arthritis is one of the most common causes of disability.

World Arthritis Day was created to raise public awareness of all forms of arthritis and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Some forms of arthritis, such as fibromyalgia, may remain undiagnosed for up to 5 years, and a delayed diagnosis makes it harder to treat the condition.

Suddenly I am no longer a member of the private groups I was in, does anyone know what has happened - has this happened to anyone else ?

International Day of the Girl Child Date in the current year: October 11, 2020

International Day of the Girl ChildInternational Day of the Girl Child, also known as International Day of the Girl, is a United Nations observance held on October 11 every year. It was officially inaugurated by UN General Assembly in December 2011 to recognize girls' rights and raise awareness of the challenges girls have to face.
This international awareness day was inspired by the Because I Am a Girl campaign. The campaign was launched by the international aid organization Plan in order to address the issue of gender discrimination and promote rights of girls across the world.

International Day of the Girl Child focuses on promoting girls' empowerment and highlighting the unique challenges girls face around the world. The issues addressed on the occasion include (but are not limited to) unfree child marriage, teenage pregnancy, violence, discrimination, gender inequality etc. In many countries, girls have limited access to education, medical care, legal aid.

Each year, the United Nations selects a new theme for the day. For example, the first theme was “Ending Child Marriage”. All participants are encouraged to link events they organize to the current year's theme. International Day of the Girl Child events and activities are held by governments of Member States, the UN system, NGOs, and civil society.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-no-10-snubs-tougher-food-rules-to-keep-trade-deals-on-the-menu-vdhks5262?shareToken=a5de50477ab7aef1ef5c98ef01192da2&fbclid=IwAR3PR6XGkaCrNGAV65cEYVSUFhGpOnFY3L1tQUXhiwIsktTQSF
Now we`ve Brexitted we`re desperate!!
Read it all before commenting PLEASE.

World Mental Health Day Date in the current year: October 10, 2020

World Mental Health DayWorld Mental Health Day is one of the international observances connected with the issues of health problems, that humanity faces everyday. This international day exists since 1992, when it was observed for the first time on October 10.
World Mental Health Day was imitated by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The organization itself was founded in 1948 in the same era as the United Nations and World Heath Organization. The activity of the Federation is aimed at prevention of mental and emotional disorders and provision of proper treatment and care of those, who have mental disorders. Nowadays WFMH consists of more than 150 member states.

Every year observance of World Mental Health Day is organized to correspond to a certain theme, that is chosen by the Federation. Observance of this day helps break stereotypes connected with mental illnesses and encourages people to seek for professional help and care in case of early symptoms of mental disorders.

Observance of World Mental Health Day is a part of Mental Illness Awareness Week. This is a larger event, that is annually organized in the USA during the first full week of October.

World Homeless Day Date in the current year: October 10, 2020

World Homeless DayWorld Homeless Day is marked by people around the world on October 10. It is dedicated to a global problem that affects most countries. The main goal of this international observance is to encourage people to change the lives of homeless people in their local community.
Homeless people are people who don’t have a permanent dwelling. Homelessness can be caused by many reasons, including, but not limited to, lack of affordable housing, forced eviction, gentrification, domestic violence, living with a disability or mental disorder, poverty, natural disasters, social exclusion, and more. According to 2005 statistics, an estimated 100 million people worldwide were homeless and 1 billion people lived as refugees, squatters or in temporary shelter, lacking adequate housing.

The concept of World Homeless Day was conceived in online discussions on the global issue of homelessness involving people from various parts of the world. It was marked for the first time on October 10, 2010. World Homeless Day is designed to raise awareness of homelessness as a global issue, to combat associated stigma (contrary to a popular misconception, not all homeless people are addicts or criminals), and to encourage people to get involved in responding to homelessness.

The best way to celebrate World Homeless Day is to support local service providers for homeless people. You can volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, donate clothes or food items, etc. Even if it seems like you’re not doing much, you’re still making a difference.

My partner Lynn thought of a worrying scenario the other day. Is there anyone reading this who knows more about American politics than I do and can comment about if it would be feasible?
Supposing Donald Trump loses the forthcoming election (as seems likely) and then decides to step down as President, making the Deputy President Mike Pence the President for the rest of the term. President Pence then gives Donald Trump a presidential pardon for any crimes he may have committed including tax fraud, corruption, assault or whatever.
So Donald Trump walks away with no possibility of him being taken to court or jailed.
It would be an outrage, but is it possible?

Scooploop appears to have a leaky server (computer that stores posts etc.) I have read of disappearing posts, and just now I had a look back to see someone's old posts, and they had all gone but one. Tried someone else, and all of their comments are gone. Have a look to see if you've been 1984d!

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October 8, 2020

World Sight DayWorld Sight Day is an annual awareness day held by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) on the second Thursday in October. It focuses on raising public awareness of vision impairment and blindness.
In 1998, Lion Clubs International launched Lions World Sight Day to draw attention to the plight of sight loss in the countries of the third world. In 2000, the IAPB supported the initiative and integrated World Sight Day into its program VISION 2020. World Sight Day has been celebrated on the second Thursday of October ever since. The IAPB organizes it in cooperation with WHO (World Health Organization).

World Sight Day aims at focusing global attention on blindness and vision impairment as major international public health issues. Events and activities held on the occasion focus on educating people about blindness prevention programs and generating support for VISION 2020.

According to statistics, approximately 39 million people worldwide are blind, and 90% of them live in low-income countries. Another 246 million are visually impaired. 80% of visual impairment can be treated and/or prevented. VISION 2020 and World Sight Day were created to convey this information and encourage people worldwide to support blindness and visual impairment prevention strategies.

Numbers seem to be rising almost everywhere but I can't see how we can afford another full lockdown (couldn't afford the first). People can't get hospital appointments and business are going under every day. So, is it time to shield the elderly/vulnerable and let the young and fit keep their jobs/education? Some who are vulnerable but young will need financial assistance. Obviously there are difficult decisions to be made but I don't believe we can afford to keep on shutting things down and delaying the inevitable. What do you all think?

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A fisherman claims to have found plane wreckage which could be from Malaysian airlines flight MH370 which disappeared back in 2014. It was found off the coast of Queensland, so nowhere near where they have searched originally, which was off the coast of West Australia.

World Cerebral Palsy Day Date in the current year: October 7, 2020

World Cerebral Palsy Day17 million people across the world suffer from cerebral palsy, a lifelong lasting disability with no known cure. World Cerebral Palsy Day was created as a global project to change the world of people living with cerebral palsy. It's annually observed on the first Wednesday in October.
World Cerebral Palsy Day was launched by Cerebral Palsy Alliance (Australia) and United Cerebral Palsy (USA). The event was supported by over 270 cerebral palsy service organizations and hospitals from 46 countries. The event is more than just an awareness day. It aims at gathering the ideas from people suffering cerebral palsy or their relatives and supporters and make them come true.

The main theme of this event is express an idea via text or video, that would change, if invented, the world of people living with cerebral palsy. The idea wouldn't take longer than one minute to read or view. The best ideas are chosen and implemented into life for free.

Participation in World Cerebral Palsy Day is open to anyone. The campaign is supported only by the generosity of the Allergan Foundation.

Walk to School Day, also known as Walk & Bike to School Day, is an annual awareness event that typically takes place on the first Wednesday in October. It was established in 1997 and has been held each year ever since.
Walk to School Day was created in order to raise awareness of the importance of improved, safer and more accessible streets, less traffic, and reduced air pollution in communities across the USA. It also aims to promote healthier habits and active lifestyle from an early age. The first campaign was held in 1997, it was called Walk Our Children to School Day.

Since 2006, informational and technical support and resources for National Walk to School Say in the United States have been provided by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, an organization that helps states and communities implement Safe Routes to Schools programs. These programs aim to enable and encourage children to safely walk or bike to school.

Over time, Walk to School Day has become an international event. Each October, thousands of children from more than 40 countries walk to school instead of taking city/school buses or being driven by their parents. Parents, schools, community leaders and all levels of government join efforts to organize Walk to School Day events and spread the word.

Rock star and guitar great Eddie Van Halen has died aged 65 after a "long and arduous battle" with throat cancer, his son has said.

You may be aware that some reviews cannot be trusted, as they are placed by people who are paid to do so. Having acquired some rubbish products, I thought it would be helpful to have a group where members could post about how pleased/displeased they were with a product or service, or ask for recommendations for a product or service they would like to buy, or share any money-saving tips. Click here to join: https://www.scooploop.com/groups/productutility-or-service-recommendations-money-saving-tips

Date in the current year: October 5, 2020

World Habitat DayWorld Habitat Day is an annual United Nations observance held on the first Monday of October. It was officially established in 1985. The first celebration was held on October 6, 1986 with the theme “Shelter is My Right”.
World Habitat Day events and activities are coordinated by the United Nations Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), the UN agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development. They focus on reflecting on the state of human settlements and raising awareness of the importance of the basic human right to adequate shelter.

On the occasion of World Habitat Day, UN-Habitat gives the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honor Award, honoring individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the field of human settlements development, improving the living conditions in towns and cities around the world. The award have been given out since 1989.

Each year, the United Nations chooses a new theme for the World Habitat Day campaign. All participants are encouraged to link their events and activities to the current year's theme. For example, the 2014 theme was “Voices from Slums”. The 2014 campaign focused on raising global awareness of living conditions in slums across the world.

Did you know that some young people are offended by full stops at the end of texts and emails? It is considered rude. One person described it as 'turning your back on someone when you're speaking with them. One couple even split up after arguing about full stops.
Microsoft now deems that having two spaces after a full stop before starting a new sentence, is incorrect, and will be flagged accordingly. Time for a full stop to this malarky!

It's World Space Week; ask Alexa to sing you a space song. https://www.worldspaceweek.org/

This programme came on BBC1 last night and its actually quite funny. The racist in me assumed she was Chinese because of the slanty eyes but turns out she is American born with Korean background. Nora Lum is her reall name. She is also a singer. Here is one of her songs. Don't watch if you are easily offended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z726OPwCnjE
Apparently the song got her sacked when her boss heard it.
She was also in the film, Crazy Rich Asians.

I received this email today from HM Courts & Tribunals Service
This is a scam. Note: email address, strange amount and phone number unavailable.

Tried to edit to show email address HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Doesn't appear to work on here, it is workhub@atexto plus the usual .com

Just had an email from Sainsburys advising me to place my Christmas order asap. order by 8th November for free bottle of bubbly or box of chocs.
Blimey i don't even know what i will want next week yet.

My first choice...

Life has taught me this

Everyday is new

And if everything is true

All that matters when we're through is how we love

Faced with what we lack

Some things fall apart

But from the ashes new dreams start

All that matters to the heart is how we love

How we love, how we love

With the smallest act of kindness

In a word, a smile, a touch

In spite of our mistakes

Chances come again

If we lose or if we win

All that matters in the end is how we love

How we love, how we love

I will not forget your kindness

When I needed it so much

Sometimes we forget

Trying to be so strong

In this world of right and wrong

All that matters when we're gone

All that mattered all along

All we have that carries on...is how we love

A liberal elite cyclists campaign group wants anyone who says "Lycra Louts" at cyclists to be arrested for hate crime.
They also want the word "accident" banned when a cyclist is involved in an accident. Instead they want the report to begin, "Collision between a cyclist and a crimiinal motorist".
They want every collision to be reported as the motorist fault.
They want it never mentioned if the cyclist wasn't wearing a helmet or hi-viz clothing.

Stanley Johnson has been pictured in a shop not wearing a face mask.

Boris Johnson’s father said he was “extremely sorry” after being pictured in a London newsagents on Tuesday without a face covering.

Face masks have been compulsory in shops and supermarkets in England since July.

The picture of the UK prime minister’s father emerged after fines increased to £200 last week for first time offenders who fail to wear a face covering in accordance with government guidance.

Speaking to the Mirror, Mr Johnson Sr said he may not be "100 per cent up to speed" with current rules as he had just returned to England after three weeks abroad.

Panorama - Whistleblowers. Please watch or record. Repeat Friday 2.15 am on BBC 2

What a waste of money and we still in a mess.

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Had an email from Asda saying my priority delivery pass will end on 31st October, after that it's back to normal ie - pay full price for delivery, minimum order charge and just get a slot whenever you can.
Christmas slots released 6th November so book early.

This is another good drama on BBC1 on Sunday nights. Although it does clash with Singapore Grip. I won't spoil the storyline but i have a question.

Is their son a trans? you have to watch the flashback scenes in episode two see what I'm thinking.

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Just had a 1 minute power cut, lost internet and phone beeped with a message to check time.
Then had a call fro UK Power networks asking if had power as registered as priority/vulnerable by my supplier.
Never had that before and never heard of UK Power networks.

Sing-a-long

Edward and Pip making sausage rolls on this nippy Autumn morning, they can't wait for them to come out of the oven, just the thing to warm their 'cockles' ! lol

Just a little thing but - recently I refused a substitute with my grocery delivery and the driver is supposed to log this for a refund, from my bank account I have just found out that he didn't so had to phone Asda to get it.

As the largest group, I thought it would be interesting to see how many of its members are still around. During the recent discussion about members, I looked to see how many Anything members had never posted, and it was about 60. So please say hello, even if you are a regular poster. Percentage of members still around at last count: 25% (includes known non-helloers)

How the Silent Solution* system works:

A silent 999 call alone will not automatically bring help.

Please read the information below to understand how this system works:

WHEN YOU CALL 999: All 999 calls are directed to call centres and will be answered by BT operators. The BT operator will ask which service you need: Fire, Police or Ambulance. If you call 999 and don’t speak, the BT operator will be listening out for background noises (coughs, noises, taps on the phone, pressing 55, etc.) and will hang on the line for a certain period of time. If no requests are made and the BT operator believes the call needs to go through to an emergency service, it will always go to the police first. If no service is requested, but anything suspicious is heard throughout the process, the BT operator will connect you to the Silent Solution system.

The Silent Solution is a police system used to filter out large numbers of accidental or hoax 999 calls. It also exists to help people who are unable to speak, but who genuinely need police assistance. You will hear an automated police message, which lasts for 20 seconds and begins with ‘you are through to the police’. It will ask you to press 55 to be put through to police call management. The BT operator will remain on the line and listen. If you press 55, tap or make a noise, they will be notified and transfer the call to the police. If you don’t do any of the above, the call will be terminated after 45 seconds.
If you pressed 55, a police call handler will announce that you are through to the police.

If you can’t speak, you will be asked to tap the phone, make a noise or press 55. The police call handler will try a number of ways so that you do not feel under pressure to carry out just one prescribed action.

Only by pressing 55, tapping the phone, coughing, or making noise are you guaranteed a response to your call from a police call handler despite your silence. It is much easier to speak to the operator. But if you must stay silent, a mechanism has been provided that you can use to acquire help regardless.

Pressing 55 will not bring emergency services to your door and does not allow the police to track your location. By choosing to stay on the line, you are informing the police call handler that you might have an emergency that keeps you from talking, and they will do everything they can to determine your location so they can deploy officers to you.

The police call handler will try and engage with you, if you remain silent they will attempt to engage further and ask you to tap the phone if you are unable to speak; for example, yes and no questions can be asked by the call handler and answered using one keypad press for yes and two for no.

If the police call handler has concerns about your safety, they will continue to try to communicate through sound.

If you are able to speak without putting yourself in danger, the police call handler will ask just yes and no questions if necessary. In some cases, the conversation is led by the caller, who sometimes tries and speaks to the police call handlers in code, if for example the perpetrator has reappeared.

If you can say only one thing, please say your location. If you call from a mobile, we can pin point an estimate location but this does not narrow down enough to provide data we can locate you on.

Police call handlers can request subscriber checks and can carry out background checks to assist in locating you. This can depend on whether you have contacted the police before. Also, if your phone is registered to you, it could determine whether this will provide a potential location for you.

The police call handlers will deal with calls on a case by case basis, as each call is different, and the style of the call is adapted in line with the circumstances.

Silent Solution* = calling 999 without speaking, then pressing 55.
(Article compiled by Thames Valley Police)