1 week agoNews TvComments Off on Koran-burning man has conviction overturned as judge backs right to shock or disturb
A JUDGE overturned the conviction of a man who burned the Koran saying free of expression must allow the right to “offend, shock or disturb”.
The decision came after Hamit Coskun was found guilty earlier this year of a religiously aggravated public order offence after shouting “f*** Islam” while holding a copy of the flaming text.
PAHamit Coskun has successfully overturned his conviction[/caption]
The incident happened outside Turkey’s consulate in London back in February.
Free speech campaigners aided the 51-year-old to successfully appeal against the conviction furious over an attempt to bring back blasphemy laws by the back door.
Mr Justice Bennathan said: “There is no offence of blasphemy in our law.
“Burning a Koran may be an act that many Muslims find desperately upsetting and offensive.
“The criminal law, however, is not a mechanism that seeks to avoid people being upset, even grievously upset.
“The right to freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.”
The judge added that Coskun had acted alone and hadn’t directed his “political speech or conduct” at any person.
In his ruling at Southwark Crown Court, he added: “We live in a liberal democracy.
“One of the precious rights that affords us is to express our own views and read, hear and consider ideas without the state intervening to stop us doing so.
“The price we pay for that is having to allow others to exercise the same rights, even if that upsets, offends or shocks us.”
Campaigners and shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, who himself attended court on Thursday, said the conviction was akin to blasphemy being brought in “by the back door”.
Jenrick said he did not agree with what Mr Coskun had done, but added: “I don’t believe it’s a crime”.
Blasphemy laws were abolished in in England and Wales back in 2008 and in Scotland in 2021.
Following the ruling, Mr Coskun said he had originally come to England “to be able to speak freely about the dangers of radical Islam”.
He said he was now “reassured that – despite many troubling developments – I will now be free to educate the British public about my beliefs”.
The Free Speech Union said the ruling sends a message that “anti-religious protests, however offensive to true believers, must be tolerated”.
Lord Toby Young of Acton, director of the FSU, said “anti-religious protests, however offensive to true believers, must be tolerated”.
The National Secular Society described Mr Coskun’s protest as a “lawful act of political dissent”.
1 week agoLatest NewsComments Off on ‘Geração prateada’ em risco: casos de autolesão crescem 34,8% entre 50+
Levantamento com base em dados do SUS sobre internações por tentativa de suicídio mostra aumento em 2024 em relação a 2020; registros crescem entre mulheres
How much does it cost? Pricing varies by frame/desktop combo and accessories. Expect to pay more for solid wood and larger sizes. FlexiSpot runs frequent promos and voucher codes, so check the brand’s sale page before you buy.
Who’s it best for? Ambitious WFHers who care about ergonomics and aesthetics. Remote pros, creators, and busy parents who split days between Zooms and school runs. If you need rock-solid stability, quiet height changes, room for dual monitors and tidy cables, the E7 Pro fits.
What we loved: The rock-solid stability at full height, the smooth, near-silent lift and accurate presets. The spacious, premium desktop and neat cable management keep the setup clean. Anti-collision impressed, and assembly was refreshingly simple.
What we didn’t: The boxes are heavy and the footprint is generous, so setup and placement take planning. Solid wood tops and extras inflate the price. There’s no built-in storage for clutter, and the control panel feels functional rather than premium.
FlexiSpot E7 Pro: full review
First impressions and assembly
When the desk and chair arrived, the boxes were much heavier than I expected.
Luckily, my boyfriend helped to bring the boxes in, and we were able to unpack them in the hallway outside my office.
This made it simple for me to move each element into the office as I was putting it together, which was more manageable for those of us who aren’t blessed with upper-body strength.
As I unpacked each part of the desk, I was immediately struck by how high-quality the pieces looked.
Made from pure oak, the sturdy desktop was a lot bigger than I was expecting, but also far superior to any other desk I’ve ever owned (or worked on, for that matter!).
After struggling with the construction of a dining table a few days earlier and realising that DIY was not one of my strengths, the sight of multiple parts to fit together filled me with dread; however, everything was well labelled and satisfyingly straightforward to assemble.
The desk has 22 different parts, which sounds like a lot, but includes everything from the major elements to the Velcro and wrenches.
The user manual that accompanies the package outlines the components diagram and then gets straight into a step-by-step guide for putting it together.
As mentioned, I wasn’t feeling too optimistic about my DIY skills, but FlexiSpot also has a YouTube channel with multiple how-to tutorials, which made the assembly process a breeze.
The pre-installation guide advised me to get a friend to help, but I was able to assemble it alone without any issues.
I used a drill as recommended, which made securing the screws quick and easy.
From start to finish, it only took me around an hour to put it together, which, compared to some of my other DIY jobs, was a real treat!
It goes without saying that the main feature is the adjustable height.
The E7 Pro has a height range of 63.5cm – 128.5cm, which I was really impressed with.
The keypad that controls the adjustable function is easy to navigate with its sleek touchscreen interface.
It has multiple features, including a child lock, memory presets, and an anti-collision system, which contribute to the desk’s overall quality.
With the memory presets, I can save up to 4 different height settings, so once I have achieved the perfect level, I can save it in this function to use again and again without having to play around with different settings.
I love that I can adjust the desk height based on the tasks I’m doing and the time of day.
It’s all too easy for time to run away with you when you’re working, meaning I’m normally sitting for hours at a time.
The great thing about this desk is that, by simply touching a small screen, I can stand and move around while still being able to access my keyboard, laptop, and screens.
The solid oak desktop is very wide, and I was concerned when I initially unpacked it that it would be too big.
But after it was built, it fit nicely into my office.
The key benefit of the width is that I can fit multiple screens on it; I currently have two monitors, along with my laptop, a separate keyboard and a mouse.
Even with this much on it, I still have plenty of space for notepads and other miscellaneous items.
The one feature I usually like to have is drawer storage, as it’s always useful.
But, considering how big the desktop is, there is plenty of space to store additional things.
In addition to the E7 Pro, I also tried FlexiSpot’s BS8 ergonomic chair, which boasts a whole range of features that have made sitting at the desk infinitely more comfortable.
Like the desk, the chair was incredibly easy to assemble.
It came in just a few parts, which meant it was a case of attaching the five wheels to the base, the two handles, and the adjustable function to the chair itself, then slotting both parts together and capping it off with the headrest.
All in all, the assembly took just 20 minutes, which I was thrilled about.
The chair is incredibly comfortable, and I can feel the difference in the support it provides compared to other office chairs I’ve used.
With contoured lumbar support that can be adjusted to provide a vertical range of 5cm, I can feel my lower back breathe a sigh of relief as I settle into the chair.
There are also nine backrest options, so I can tailor it to my liking.
The arch-shaped headrest and reclining function allow me to settle into the full support this chair offers, so when I opt to sit at the desk rather than stand, my body is well taken care of.
How much does the Flexispot E7 Pro cost?
Depending on the specification you choose, the E7 Pro is quite expensive.
With a starting price of £579.98, it is an investment, rather than an impulse purchase.
However, the quality and benefits it offers mean it’ll be a long time before you have to consider buying a replacement.
FlexiSpot offers multiple other versions of the standing desk, which come at a lower price; however, the E7 Pro is one of the more premium, high-end options available.
If you take your WFH set-up seriously and are looking for quality, then this is the option for you.
1 week agoNews TvComments Off on Turning a blind eye to squiggly dashboard light could land you with £4k repair bill, expert warns
IGNORING one small but important warning light on your car’s dashboard could end up costing you a staggering £4,000 in repairs, experts have warned.
While many motorists brush off the odd symbol or flashing light, this one could cause serious damage to your car’s gearbox if left unchecked.
If it lights up, you should stop as soon as possibleGetty
Drivers are being urged to pay close attention to the Transmission Temperature Warning Light – a little-known icon that could mean the difference between a smooth drive and a massive repair bill.
A study by Warrantywise found that two thirds of British drivers don’t recognise half of the warning lights that appear on their dashboards.
With dozens of symbols flashing on modern dashboards — from seatbelt alerts to engine warnings — many drivers struggle to tell which ones demand urgent attention.
But according to Jonathan Such, Motoring Expert at vehicle finance provider First Response Finance, this particular light is one of the most important to know about.
Jonathan explains: “This warning light, often shown as a gear with a thermometer inside, indicates that your transmission fluid is overheating.
“It’s not one most people recognise but ignoring it can lead to serious and expensive damage.”
Transmission fluid is essential to protect your gearbox from heat and friction.
Once it gets too hot, transmission fluid loses its ability to protect key components — increasing friction, damaging parts, and potentially causing complete gearbox failure.
“Gearbox replacements are among the most expensive repairs a driver can face, with costs typically ranging from £800 to £4,000*, depending on the make and model of the vehicle,” Jonathan warned.
You’re most likely to see this warning light during demanding conditions — such as towing, climbing steep roads, or idling in traffic on a hot day.
If it comes on, drivers are advised to pull over safely, switch off the engine and let the car cool down before driving any further.
“Don’t try to ‘push through’ or get to your destination,” Jonathan advises.
“Even a few extra miles can be the difference between a quick fix and a major repair.”
To prevent expensive repairs, drivers should ensure their vehicle is serviced regularly, maintain proper transmission fluid levels, and steer clear of harsh driving that can overload the gearbox.
Jonathan added: “Your dashboard is there to protect you. If in doubt, check your manual or speak to a mechanic. It could save you thousands.”
Experts also warn that another commonly ignored dashboard icon – the oil warning light – can lead to catastrophic engine damage if not dealt with immediately.
If it lights up, you should stop as soon as possible.
Continuing to drive could cause severe engine wear or complete failure.
Once the car has cooled down, check the oil level and top up if needed.
However, if oil levels appear normal, the car should not be driven further.
Instead, it’s best to have it transported to a garage for a full inspection.
Ultimately, while most dashboard lights might seem harmless at first glance, ignoring the wrong.
Three warning lights that could cost you big
1. Engine Management Light – Potential Loss: £500 This light can indicate anything from a loose fuel cap to major engine issues. A red light signals a serious problem, while amber suggests something less severe but still needs fixing. Ignoring this could slash £500 off your trade-in value.
2. ABS Light – Potential Loss: £500 Crucial for your car’s safety, a lit ABS light is a red flag for buyers. Even a minor sensor fault can trigger it, but not fixing it could lead to a £500 reduction in your car’s value.
3. Service Light – Potential Loss: £200 This light reminds you that a service is due. Neglecting it could knock £200 off your car’s worth. Regular servicing is key, especially if your car is under warranty.
Drivers are being urged to pay close attention to the Transmission Temperature Warning Light (stock image)
