#HeadlineTherapy Bond glass-maker quits role to save staff jobs.

Thanks to Naj odak and Mike Zeller and BBC News Online for the Headline

Believe it or not a “Red List” of endangered crafts was created in 2017 to highlight skills that were being lost.

Glass Crystal Cutting was one of those crafts, unfortunately due to the recent rise in energy costs, a Company who employs these highly skilled crafts people has had to close down one of their furnaces, reduce people’s hours and cut non- essential staff, including the CEO who is now putting what would have been his salary towards keeping the business going. What would William Morris have thought?

The admirable CEO has said that there are contracts to keep the business going and that hopefully they can ride the storm. I wish them well.

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A skilled craftsman carefully engraves a crystal glass using a rotating wheel.

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One is not a solution

Daily writing prompt
Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

Perhaps I should get a tee shirt with “One is not a solution” printed on it. Instead I’m replying to a dull uninterested computer automated prompt which has the advantage that it makes me use WordPress every day. We have a symbiotic relationship. “One is not a solution” and you can take whatever you like from that, I on the other hand have a good idea for a teeshirt.

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#HeadlineTherapy French couple leave Iran after more than three years in Jail.

Thanks to George Wright and BBC Online for the Headline

It’s a great relief to know that two French tourists who were visiting Iran three years ago have now managed to leave the Country after being imprisoned and finally being held under house arrest in the French Embassy in Tehran.

Oman has been involved in obtaining their release as well as significant efforts being made by the French Ambassador and his staff who are running the Embassy under which must be very difficult circumstances. The two French tourists were transported by car to the border with Azerbaijan in a diplomatic convoy accompanied by the French Ambassador.

They are slowly making their way back to France to be reunited with their loved ones. It is indeed a miracle that the French were able to achieve their release with the current situation in Iran .

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Whatever moves you like to do…..

Daily writing prompt
What’s the most fun way to exercise?

Whatever moves you like to do , do them and enjoy and don’t overdo it.

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#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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