A friend just sent me this article about losing a spouse.
"You think you're prepared.
you go in with boxes and garbage bags. You tell yourself you’ll be strong.
You think, “It’s just stuff.”
But then you open a drawer.
And their handwriting is still on a notepad.
Their scent still clings to the sleeves of that sweater you begged them to throw out every winter.
Their shoes are still lined up by the door like they might be back any minute.
to be cont
Columbia University's recent suspension and expulsion of more than 70 students for a Palestine demonstration is the latest sign the school's crackdown on activism is not simply about campus conduct, but appeasing political pressure from Washington.
mondoweiss.net/2025/08/as-colu…
#Palestine #Israel #Gaza
@palestine @israel
Columbia University’s recent suspension and expulsion of more than 70 students for a Palestine demonstration is the latest sign the school’s crackdown on activism is not simply about campus conduct, but appeasing political pressure from Washington.Tamara Turki (Mondoweiss)
like this
Climate Change 2025
The water crisis in Iran: The dire situation of the Zayandeh-Rud River in Isfahan.
In the past, the river was the lifeline of the city and the entire region.
#AureFreePress #News #press #headline #GlobalWarming #climatechange #climatecrisis #Breaking #BreakingNews #Iran
What a sad man he is.
Mark Mansour notes that the overt, unabashed gerrymandering proposed by Texas Republicans is designed, by their own admission, to "enhance the political efficacy” of GOP votes.
What this is really about is enhancing the political efficacy of WHITE RURAL voters. As Mansour says, it's "a chilling disenfranchisement of millions of voters—especially Black, Latino, and Asian Americans."
#Texas #Republicans #gerrymandering #racism
/1
mmansour.substack.com/p/the-te…
Trump and Abbott are involved in a conspiracy to cheat Texas voters-it has to be stoppedMark Mansour (America’s Fractured Politics)
“Trump knows he can’t win the upcoming mid-term elections, so he is trying to rig them. And the way he is trying to do it is to dismantle the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as we know it. He is trying, for example to try and dismantle Hispanic and African-American opportunity districts."
~ Rep. Greg Casar quoted by John Nicholls
#Texas #Republicans #gerrymandering #racism #SupremeCourt #JohnRoberts
/6
thenation.com/article/politics…
A gerrymandering fight reveals how far Trump will go to avoid electoral accountability.The Nation
Billy Begala explains how the Republican gerrymandering proposal wants to "carve up Texas like a Christmas ham," disenfranchising Black and Hispanic voters and privileging rural white ones.
#Texas #Republicans #gerrymandering #racism
/7
contrarian.substack.com/p/repu…
At Trump’s command, the Texas GOP’s redistricting maps strip voting power away from Black Texans and are an insult to us all — regardless of partisan stripes.The Barbed Wire (The Contrarian)
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has announced that Moscow is prepared to increase collaboration with BRICS countries to combat the pressure of illegal US sanctions.Iran Press
Sensitive content
“Anti-rascist zone”
antifainternational.tumblr.com…
"radicalgraff:“Anti-rascist zone”Graff piece in Toscana, Italy"
radicalgraff: “Anti-rascist zone” Graff piece in Toscana, Italyantifainternational (Antifa International)
Gaza aid truck drivers face increasing danger from desperate crowds and armed gangs
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-aid-trucks-danger-34f60bfcd7c84d75e90847c70b76b302?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into International News @international-news-AssociatedPress
Alex Ovechkin partners with a Russian technology company to make a movie about his career
https://apnews.com/article/alex-ovechkin-movie-aba4c56e0f5d3bfd99e32c1d07069971?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Entertainment @entertainment-AssociatedPress
Talk about powerful: Rachel Maddow last night on how "we're beyond waiting and seeing now":
"Whether you're looking at small scale local stories or the biggest picture stories about what's happening in our country, the story is the same and it is now an undeniable thing. We have crossed a line. we are in a place we did not want to be, but we are there."
#Trump #authoritarianism #dictatorship #ICE #MaskedThugs #immigrants #militarism
/1
youtube.com/watch?v=VQbDgOaOh4…
Rachel Maddow points out that the thing most Americans were dreading has come to pass, and the United States has changed profoundly in only six months of aut...YouTube
"Whether you're looking at small scale local stories or the biggest picture stories about what's happening in our country, the story is the same and it is now an undeniable thing. We have crossed a line. We are in a place we did not want to be, but we are there. The thing we were all warning about for the last few years is not coming. It is here. We are in it."
#Trump #authoritarianism #dictatorship #ICE #MaskedThugs #immigrants #militarism
/2
"We do now live in a country that has an authoritarian leader in charge. We have a consolidating dictatorship in our country. and it sounds melodramatic to say it, i know, but just go with that for a minute, right? Think. Think in melodramatic terms. Think in cinematic terms. Imagine the cartoon level caricature of what you think a dictatorship looks like."
#Trump #authoritarianism #dictatorship #ICE #MaskedThugs #immigrants #militarism
/3
Sensitive content
Sensitive content
Sensitive content
TEHRAN — Protests condemning Israel’s devastating war and deliberate starvation campaign in Gaza continue to sweep across the globe, as activists, politicians, and ordinary citizens demand an end to the violence and immediate humanitarian aid.Tehran Times
Trump is creating a task force for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
https://apnews.com/article/trump-2028-summer-olympics-task-force-5751b5137a2576d2d6a26cb7bebd89e8?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Politics @politics-AssociatedPress
In 2019, the American Ayatollah (the Supreme Court) said that it was totally fine to gerrymander, as gerrymandered maps could not be reviewed by federal courts (Rucho v. Common Cause).
Now, with a slim majority, Texas Republicans are gerrymandering on racial lines to disempower voters because they cannot win elections on merits. As a result, Texas Democrats have fled the state, denying the governing body of quorum.
This is "American Democracy" failing spectacularly.
texastribune.org/2025/08/04/te…
Texas Republicans are trying to redraw congressional districts to pick up five additional U.S. House seats. Democrats face financial and political risk in their bid to block the GOP plan.María Méndez (The Texas Tribune)
14 Benefits of Castor Oil for Pain and Inflammation Relief
naturalremedyideas.com/castor-…
What They Don’t Tell Us About Treating Pain
Exposing the pain industry and the forgotten treatments for pain
I have been unemployed for over a year, hustling here and there while trying to find something long term in the current hell that is the tech industry. My cat has kidney problems and I need help to cover vet bills amounting to around 500€.
PayPal: paypal.me/BarbaraL649
Also open to hire making websites for fellow #SexWorkers 
Go to paypal.me/BarbaraL649 and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.PayPal.Me
US government proposes easing some restrictions on drones traveling long distances
https://apnews.com/article/drones-trump-duffy-line-of-sight-rule-bdbc54ca3b8ef2ead9ccfc62f3762f4c?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Business and Finance @business-and-finance-AssociatedPress
Trump administration wants to end abortion coverage through Veterans Affairs
https://apnews.com/article/veterans-affairs-abortion-trump-biden-dobbs-b9f7866a77928c9ebb078e4dbf173e38?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Health @health-AssociatedPress
DEAR FRIENDS. IF YOU LIKE THIS TYPE OF CONTENT, SUPPORT SOUTHFRONT WORK :Odysee
N. E. Felibata 👽 reshared this.
Massive central California wildfire threatens more than 800 structures and leaves 3 injured
https://apnews.com/article/gifford-wildfires-california-santa-barbara-los-padres-cc1e1a2945594e836e133fad309448cb?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into U.S. News @u-s-news-AssociatedPress
so apparently only 19% of americans are still #pureblood with zero covid jabs
that's a catastrophic stat.
Not sure. Some won't get the chance, others will cut a deal and sing like a canary.
Sensitive content
Sensitive content
like this
Philippines condemns China's rocket launch after suspected debris sparked alarm
https://apnews.com/article/china-long-march-12-rocket-launch-debris-philippines-f12f8bcff5f89c7332397bf5d710aa3a?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Asia @asia-AssociatedPress
Welcome to today's thread - 2025 #CrossBorderRail Finale Day 45 - 5 August - Wien - Zürich - Dijon - Ravières
Today's new borders:
None
Borders map, inc. borders re-crossed:
umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
Today's trains on the routes map:
umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
The final big #CrossBorderRail tour - to the eastern borders of the EU, and missing intra-EU borders. In June-July 2025.uMap
The long route home. Hopefully without mishap!
Fingers crossed a crucial 14 min change in Zürich works!
Here's today's #CrossBorderRail music track
Welcome Home
Selina & Hanspeter
Thanks @K1ngdaKa88 & @krist for this one - a SBB commissioned song.
youtube.com/watch?v=4OARVJUQB1…
Welcome Home -- Selina & Hanspeter (OFFICIAL)Agency: Rod KommunikationYouTube
#CrossBorderRail Finale Train 166 of 169
REX 3
04:57 Wien Praterstern - Wien Meidling 05:14
ÖBB
Train type: Siemens Desiro ML EMU, 2x 3 carriages
⚡️ (15kV ac)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free, hefty on board lift if not)
🛜: ✅ (and it works)
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 🙂
🧽: 🙂
🎫 Interrail: 🙂 (accepted)
REX 3
04:57 Wien Praterstern - Wien Meidling 05:14
Distance: 8.5km
Average speed: 32km/h
6 stops:
Wien Mitte
Wien Rennweg
Wien Quartier Belvedere
Wien Hbf (Bahnsteige 1-2)
Wien Matzleinsdorfer Platz
Wien Meidling
This train, mapped: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
The final big #CrossBorderRail tour - to the eastern borders of the EU, and missing intra-EU borders. In June-July 2025.uMap
Here’s this morning‘s intro video peertube.netzbegruenung.de/w/o…
4 trains today and a long trip back to Ravières
#CrossBorderRail Finale Train 167 of 169
RJX 368
05:35 Wien Meidling - Zürich HB (diverted via Schwarzach) 15:20
ÖBB
Train type: Siemens 1116 Taurus locomotive, fixed 7 carriage formation, driving control car
⚡️ (15kV ac)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (lift on board)
🛜: ✅
🍽️: ✅
🧳: 🙂
🧽: 🙂 (spotless - Railjet cleanliness is generally excellent)
🎫 Interrail: 🙂 (accepted)
Top score!
RJX 368
05:35 Wien Meidling - Zürich HB (via Schwarzach) 15:20
Distance: 836km
Average speed: 86km/h
15 stops:
St.Pölten Hbf
Linz/Donau Hbf
Salzburg Hbf
Bischofshofen
Schwarzach im Pongau-St.Veit
Wörgl Hbf
Innsbruck Hbf
Ötztal
Landeck-Zams
St.Anton am Arlberg
Bludenz
Feldkirch
Buchs SG
Sargans
Zürich HB
This train, mapped: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
The final big #CrossBorderRail tour - to the eastern borders of the EU, and missing intra-EU borders. In June-July 2025.uMap
Ah ha
Perfect! 😀
The only #CrossBorderRail line with passenger traffic, sort of, that I am now missing is...
Roma San Pietro 🇮🇹 - Citta Vaticano 🇻🇦
There's probably no god, now stop worrying and enjoy your #CrossBorderRail! 🎉
umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
(and yes, it is temporarily closed, and yes, it only runs once a week normally)
All of Europe's rail borders - categorised by type, and whether I (Jon Worth) have been to the location.uMap
And there are four active #CrossBorderRail lines where the track is legally active, but there are no passenger trains, that I am missing
Eglaine 🇱🇻 - Obeliai 🇱🇹
Renge 🇱🇻 - Mažeikiai 🇱🇹
Rybnitsa 🇲🇩 (Transnistria) - Klymentove 🇺🇦
Uzhhorod 🇺🇦 - Maťovské Vojkovce 🇸🇰
So I have been to all bar 5 active railway #CrossBorderRail lines between all of these
ALL 🇪🇺 countries (except 🇲🇹, 🇨🇾 that have no railways)
🇳🇴
🇨🇭
🇱🇮
🇬🇧
🇷🇸
🇧🇦
🇲🇰
🇲🇪
🇦🇱
🇲🇩
🇺🇦
I am missing
🇻🇦
🇬🇪
🇦🇲
🇦🇿
For political reasons I won't go to
🇷🇺
🇧🇾
so those aren't counted
🇹🇷 to 🇪🇺 is covered, to 🇬🇪🇦🇲 it's not
There are however still 67 disused and dismantled #CrossBorderRail lines I have not yet been to...
Although only a handful have any prospect of re-activation
So I am not going to try to go to those!
So I have used the long trip today, and reasonable WiFi, to update my map of all of Europe's rail borders - of all sorts
Pink pins are where I have been, grey pins are the ones I am missing
Zoomable map: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
All of Europe's rail borders - categorised by type, and whether I (Jon Worth) have been to the location.uMap
I have changed how I list these borders now
A line that crosses a border multiple times (like Bihać 🇧🇦 - Knin 🇭🇷) is listed only once, and there is a new category of markers called Transit Markers that simply shows the border crossings, with a different icon, and there are 35 such Transit Markers
If there is a junction somewhere along the way (as there is Hagenwerder 🇩🇪 - Krzewina Zgorzelecka 🇵🇱 - Hirschfelde 🇩🇪) then those are still counted separately
Stats are as follows:
Active passenger line - visited by 🚆 (135)
Active passenger line - visited by 🚲 (42)
Active passenger line - visited by 🚌🚙 (4)
Active passenger line - visited total (181)
Active passenger line - not yet visited (1)
Active line, no passenger service - visited by 🚆 (3)
Active line, no passenger service - visited by 🚲 (44)
Active line, no passenger service - visited by 🚌🚙 (13)
Active line, no passenger service - visited total (70)
Active line, no passenger service - not yet visited (4)
Dismantled or disused line - visited by 🚲 (85)
Dismantled or disused line - visited by 🚌🚙 (4)
Dismantled or disused line - visited total (89)
Dismantled or disused lines - not yet visited (66)
Narrow Gauge or Other Special Lines - visited (10)
Narrow Gauge or Other Special Lines - not visited (28)
Tramways - visited (20)
Tramways - not visited (23)
Other (18) - visited
So that gives a total of
3️⃣8️⃣8️⃣
#CrossBorderRail lines visited!
🎉 🎉 🎉 🎉
(Edited: found I had counted a Czech border wrong, so it's 388 not 390!)
#CrossBorderRail Finale Train 168 of 169
TGV 9226
15:34 Zürich HB - Dijon Ville 18:00
TGV Lyria
Train type: Alstom TGV Euroduplex, 8 short double deck carriages
⚡️ (15kV ac, 25kV ac, 1.5kV dc)
🚲: ⛔️
🦽: ✅ (step free then lift down inside)
🛜: ⛔️ (installed but won’t work)
🍽️: ✅
🧳: ☹️ (TGV Duplex so awful)
🧽: 🙂
🎫 Interrail: 😐 (needs compulsory reservation, costs €29 - which is a scandalous price)
TGV 9226
15:34 Zürich HB - Dijon Ville 18:00
Distance: 327.6km
Average speed: 135km/h
3 stops:
Basel SBB
Mulhouse Ville
Dijon Ville
This train, mapped: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
The final big #CrossBorderRail tour - to the eastern borders of the EU, and missing intra-EU borders. In June-July 2025.uMap
We’ve now had 6 or 7 announcements warning us about pickpockets and keeping an eye on our belongings
But on a TGV Duplex it’s hard as luggage racks are beyond the end doors of carriages
I *could* lock my bag to the luggage rack, but I imagine that’s not allowed as it’s a terrorist risk?
Ok, I checked. In TGV Lyria anyway they’ve got no problem with you locking your bag to a luggage rack (note this is one SBB Lyria train manager’s opinion - don’t consider it a hard rule!)
And his SNCF counterpart was excellent and friendly and acknowledged it is a design problem (racks badly placed)
#CrossBorderRail Finale Train 169 of 169
TER 91358
18:33 Dijon Ville - Nuits-sous-Ravières 19:19
SNCF for TER Mobigo
Train type: Bombardier AGC Bi-mode MU 4 short carriages
⚡️ (1.5kV dc)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free if station allows)
🛜: ⛔️
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 🙂
🧽: 🙂 (clean today)
🎫 Interrail: 🙂 (accepted)
TER 91358
18:33 Dijon Ville - Nuits-sous-Ravières 19:19
Distance: 89.4km
Average speed: 117km/h
3 stops:
Les Laumes-Alesia
Montbard
Nuits-sous-Ravieres
This train, mapped: umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/c…
The final big #CrossBorderRail tour - to the eastern borders of the EU, and missing intra-EU borders. In June-July 2025.uMap
Aaanndd SNCF’s loathing of Interrail hits new heights!
SNCF Connect hasn’t been able to sell Interrail / Eurail seat reservations for some while, but it worked at SNCF Grandes Lignes ticket machines
I’ve just checked at Dijon Ville: that has NOW BEEN REMOVED AS AN OPTION
I wanted to check I wasn’t at fault so I went to find a staff member
By luck they were helping a Spanish Interrailer at that moment and couldn’t get him the reservation and were likewise perplexed
I explained to all of them they’ll just have to use the third party Rail Europe website instead!
As far as I have experienced it as a tourist, french railway ticketing is a nightmare from top to bottom.
I ride trains because I like trains.
TER ticket machines and the sncf-connect website however put that to the test in many ways.
what??? seriously? 🤦
from my notes, taken a few weeks ago: > when the machine asks “do you have a reduction or pass?” select “other” then pick “interrail or eurail”
on the french screen (your pic) you should tap “autres réductions” for them to show. Did that really disappear?
Before trainwide door locking was a thing (because there was no cable connecting the carriages), there was a thing called "wagenautarke Türsicherung", which locks the carriage doors when it is moving faster than 5km/h.
I do not know the internal SNCF procedures but I would guess that this maybe is a historical remnant because there are still carriages with this technique (or the trainwide locking is broken).
There used to run some trains from there to the Papal gardens, but since the beginning of this year this is gone. Maybe forever. Deo volente (how ironic) it will return so us mortals can go on a pilgrimage for this international railway line.
(reupload)
« Ce n'est pas Dieu qui a créé l'homme, mais l'homme qui a créé Dieu. » Voltaire
Même si on aurait ici plus besoin des chemins de fer que de Dieu...
In listened to Drop Site News' interview with Mahmoud Khalil (which was quite good) and this book came up.
Seems like a very interesting read, on how decentralized mass protests against authoritarian regimes tends to fail in recent decades.
The book is titled
If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution by Vincent Bevins
Interesting review of the book:
newrepublic.com/article/175314…
The demonstrations of the last decade were vast and explosive—and surprisingly ineffective.The New Republic
Invest the time to listen to these podcasts; then do your own research if you want to know what is going on because it isn't what is being reported. Per DJT: "We Have It All"
The Hidden Truth Behind the Epstein List - Who is on it? | Lt Col Riccardo Bosi
rumble.com/v6wzwui-the-hidden-…
Obama's Treason Exposed - The Movie We're Watching
Hosted by John Michael Chambers with retired SO Lt Col Bosi, Michael Jaco, Seal Team 6, Col Tom Lennox, Derek Johnson
rumble.com/v6wlajw-obamas-trea…
In this explosive episode of Global Defense War, host John Michael Chambers is joined by an elite panel of military and intelligence experts—Derek Johnson, Riccardo Bosi, Michael Jaco, Josh Reid, andRumble
Nothing Can Stop What Is Coming | Ep. 991 The Daily Dose - RedPill Project, Josh Reid
rumble.com/v6x59lo-nothing-can…
"Bro, this is going to go fast, quick, fast & painful."
Nothing Can Stop What Is Coming | Ep. 991 The Daily Dose Visit Josh WEBSITE redpills.tv SUBSTACK redpillproject.substack.com TELEGRAM t.me/redpillstv X x.com/@realjoshuareid Email: redpillstv@gmail.coRumble
Will die BILD etwa mehr Sturmfluten wie die historische Hollandflut? Wie dich Axel Springer mit dem "Panikmache"-Narrativ in die Irre führt.
Hendrickson to headline wrestling event as Hulk Hogan's venture continues after his death
https://apnews.com/article/wrestling-hulk-hogan-american-7f9ed20facdf6d488fcc532bd0f7213a?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub
Posted into Sports @sports-AssociatedPress
Sensitive content
Sensitive content
Coded Artist likes this.
reshared this
Just looked up Iris W early photos. She was almost kinda cute as a young woman & def. looks like a female in earlier photos & her wedding pix.
Guess gaining weight and getting older has made her look more masculine. But she's a woman after all.
Zagreb: journée anarcha-queer de la foire du livre anarchiste au squat Postaja
fr.squat.net/2025/08/05/zagreb…
"Vrrrane, en collaboration avec le collectif de la Foire du livre anarchiste de Zagreb, organise au squat Postaja le 6 septembre 2025 la première journée de la foire du livre comme forum pour aborder des sujets spécifiquement anarcha-queer ! Un événement similaire a déjà eu lieu à Postaja en septembre
The Starmer regime's failure to defend the Handala along with the mistreatment of the Leonardo 3 in Scotland are both examples of a diseased doctrine of unquestioning U.K. support of Israel. By Craig Murray CraigMurray.org.Consortium News
TIPS FOR GETTING A CAKE TO RELEASE OUT OF A PAN
yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/b…
Here's how to remove a stuck cake from its pan: Reheat the pan, loosen the edges of the cake with a spatula, then flip onto a rack for a mess-free release.Allison Arnold (Yahoo Life)
qlod likes this.
Sensitive content
http://vok.rep.kp/index.php/detail_com/comde/iee250708008/57/en The Jungphyong Greenhouse Farm, a large-scale vegetable greenhouse farm, has residential quarters for its employees and all the wonderful facilities for their living.Dermot Hudson (KFAUK.com)
Un bon panorama rapide...
like this
HunDriverWidow
in reply to HunDriverWidow • • •You find yourself sitting on the floor, holding a shirt to your face, trying to memorize a smell you know is already fading.
You whisper “I’m sorry” to objects you tuck away in boxes.
You fold things neatly like you’re still trying to take care of them.
You pause before tossing something out, because what if that was their favorite?
No one tells you how loud the silence is when their closet door creaks open.
HunDriverWidow
in reply to HunDriverWidow • • •No one tells you how heavy an empty coat can feel in your hands.
No one tells you that cleaning out a space can shatter you all over again.
It’s not just cleaning.
It’s letting go of little pieces you were never ready to lose.
It’s closing a drawer for the last time and feeling like you’re betraying them.
It’s packing up the life you shared, while your heart silently begs, please don’t make me.
Because deep down, you’re not just packing away their things —
HunDriverWidow
in reply to HunDriverWidow • • •And you’re terrified of what’s left when all of it is gone."