#HeadlineTherapy Welsh composer makes history as music tops worlwide chart

Thanks to Lena-Zaharah Mohanmmed and BBC News Online for the Headline

“The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” by Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins was voted as the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

The piece is dedicated to the victims of the War in Kosovo and reflects on the devastation of conflict while expressing hope for Peace.

It is as relevant today as it was when it was orginally written.

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#HeadlineTherapy Indian migrant workers hit by cooking gas shortages are leaving cities

Thanks to Abhishek Dey (Delhi) and BBC News for the Headline.

The precarious living that migrant workers from India who moved into the big cities for work.

Their hope was to raise money and support their families from the villages they were born and raised in, but with the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz it is very difficult for them to afford or even find the cooking gas they rely on to run their small tea making and street food businesses. Let alone be able to cook for themselves. Thus they are having to return home as they cannot support themselves and will be unable to support their families. They have no option to return home.

It seems such a sharp contrast to the “American Dream” where if you work hard and make an effort to achieve things then you will be rewarded. However, I hope things stabilise and the “migrant street traders” can return and continue running their enterprises in the hope of a better life for their families.

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Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”

Daily writing prompt
What book could you read over and over again?

Dracula it is, and a passionate answer to the prompt. I salivate about that book and it never disappoints. Forget the remakes, the television series and the Christopher Lee and arty German Cinema creations. It’s the book that outdoes them all.

Given that anything by Victor Hugo in any format is also a salivating reading prospect.

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#HeadlineTherapy Trump threatens to take out Iran in ‘one night ‘ if no deal before deadline.

Thanks to Bernd Debusmann Jr and Tom Bateman at the White House for BBC Online News

Apparently President Trump is not worried about being charged with “War Crimes” against Civilian Populations by destroying the infrastructure, hospitals, schools, transport , energy installations and homes in Iran. I suppose he’ll claim that it was Netanyahu’s doing and if push came to shove his hands are clean.

The President has advisors that tell him that he can keep his nose clean and still come out of this a hero, for showing strength and fortitude while the rest of the World looked on and didn’t “help”.

Frankly I am appalled at this situation. The human cost of this conflict is disgusting and it seems so unecessary.

India who is very much a Power Player in todays economic world has now been able to obtain Russian Oil, as sanctions have been lifted by America to supply it. Yet the sanctions were put in place for a reason and that reason has faded into obscurity. I wonder why? Seems there is no honour among thieves and abusers.

This Headline is something I can do nothing about , but I must say it upsets me and it should do you too.

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Nothing wrong with being a colourful mannequin?

Daily writing prompt
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

Nothing wrong with a bit of playacting or creativity except when it takes over from the practicalities of real life.

There’s no one else I’d rather be as there is only one of me.

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#How rescue of US airman in remote part of Iran unfolded

Thanks to Cabriela Pomeroy and BBC News Online for the Headline.

First of all I would like to say that I’m very glad that the US Service men and woman involved in the rescue mission are all safe and will be reunited with their loved ones. It definitely was a mission in true Saving Private Ryan fashion.

What I find totally inappropriate is the “crowing” from the non-military people at the top, to be honest this was a debacle from the start, caused by politicians and their spurious motives. We must not forget that American lives have already been lost and there is no rescue mission that will ever bring them back.

Heroism and canniness is to be admired, the rhetoric and gung-honess of both the American and Iranian Politician’s not so.

Perhaps the facts of the rescue mission will filter through , hopefully after we resume a sensible progression towards Peace in the Middle East. Meanwhile I wish the “seriously injured man” a good recovery, because ejecting from a jet is very hard on the body.

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All life, no matter if we don’t understand it is to be valued

Daily writing prompt
What animals make the best/worst pets?

There are many frustrated ” pet owners” out there. There are many environmentalists and ecologists who puzzle about how best to look after “Nature”. We don’t always understand “Nature ” or ” Life ” as I like to call it, but it is to be respected and nurtured. Not used or taken for granted.

“Nature” is a hard taskmaster and sometimes it will be the “fittest” who survive.

Humans however should have no role in determining this as it’s blatantly clear we do not wholly understand our Universe, and we should leave the cruelty of fate to a World that we neither can control or fully understand.

Perhaps this is not the answer to “owning a pet” that you expected, but it is the truth, you should be in awe that you have been chosen to nurture and care for a life. It is challenging and rewarding and the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

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This creative display illustrates the delicate balance between animals and their natural environment.

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#HeadlineTherapy ‘I bought the theme park I loved growing up’

Thanks to Emily Johnson and BBC News Online for the Headline

So a gentlemen has bought Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park near Ripon as it was one of his favourite places to go when visiting his Aunt and Uncle as a young boy.

The Park in it’s heyday had rides that were impressive, a rollercoaster which at the time was the longest one in the UK and it was called the “Ultimate”.

The emphasis changed with new owners and the costs of running the park to catering for younger children and the takings declined until the business went up for sale.

Now the new owner James Mellors has plans to bring the park back to life. Thankfully he is realistic about the business prospects and challenges but knows he needs to do something that will bring people in , both youngsters and the more mature thrill seekers.

I wish him success and hope he finds the “elixir of entertainment” and inspires another young person to follow their dream. We certainly need a good venue, that is value for money and also creatively inspiring and perhaps just a bit scary!

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Nothing

Daily writing prompt
What job would you do for free?

Thank you Google AI for guiding me on this one. It gave me a list of Arguments Against Working for Free, the most important I think is “Exploitation”. Inevitably working for free can lead to a devaluation in your skill set and also poorer working conditions for others.

Yes you can put that in your pipe and smoke it you irresponsible capitalist you!

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#HeadlineTherapy Burkina Faso must ‘forget’ about democracy military leader says.

Thanks to Wedaeli Chibelushi and BBC News Online for the headline

Captain Ibrahim Traore who seized power three years ago in a military coup has said that Democracy will not work in Burkina Faso and also that it was a way of Governing that perhaps did not “fit” with Africa in general. His thoughts on Politicians were that they are “divisive” and perhaps outsiders class him as a revolutionary who is rebelling against the historical and real threat of Western Imperialism. Perhaps he is right.

Whatever happens, hopefully a rule will emerge that the Country’s resources are used to benefit the people and not squirreled away in Swiss Bank accounts or used to buy arms from those very same Western Imperialists or indeed their Counterparts in the East.

It is a fine line to tread and I wish him and the people of Burkina Faso hope for their future.

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