₦airaland Forum

jedisco:
Election numbers esp the U.S paint a different story. It appears a good cohort who voted him or didn't turn up for the republicans were people who had mainly been centre-left.

There have been a growing group esp poor white males question DEI initiatives in certain areas as they actually felt disenfranchised. I am still pro DEI but it should be a moving target.

Another are trans concers. Must say I have nothing against them but[b] the pace and dimensions it got to had e.g sports[/b] and quite young kids has got many people who wouldn't have been bothered now questioning what exactly is going on. Even in the UK, we've seen policy change and now call for a better understanding of what treatments are being offered. Of course there are those who inexcusably hate them.

What is the current thinking on sports? If your androgens are kept low ,does that still give an advantage if weight class and other variables are kept constant?

Also,what age would you consider very young? Did anyone have any medical or surgical treatment at that age?

jedisco:
Election numbers esp the U.S paint a different story. It appears a good cohort who voted him or didn't turn up for the republicans were people who had mainly been centre-left.

There have been a growing group esp poor white males question DEI initiatives in certain areas as they actually felt disenfranchised. I am still pro DEI but it should be a moving target.

Another are trans concers. Must say I have nothing against them but the pace and dimensions it got to had e.g sports and quite young kids has got many people who wouldn't have been bothered now questioning what exactly is going on. Even in the UK, we've seen policy change and now call for a better understanding of what treatments are being offered. Of course there are those who inexcusably hate them.

There have been inconsistencies on the reasons given for folks swinging to the right, the same people will tell you tomorrow that it was because of the economy or inflation another day they will tell you it’s because of immigration and the southern border. All sorts of excuses all in the name of being politically correct so it’s neither here nor there from my observation. Even the DEI excuse thing has been used by many to portray that it was mainly used to promote the trans community while denying the many other benefits it brings for an integrated society.

missjekyll:
What is the current thinking on sports? If your androgens are kept low ,does that still give an advantage if weight class and other variables are kept constant?

Also,what age would you consider very young? Did anyone have any medical or surgical treatment at that age?

We know androgens have a developmental and performance role and not all developmental characteristics can be reversed. At what point did they start being low? What is a top female boxers chance against AJ is he hormonally transitions today? I'd place all bets that he'd still beat the sh*t out of her. Like with many things, I think this has gone full circle.

Gender treatment especially for minors in the NHS is a sh*t show. Wait times span several years. Private clinics which may be quick to initiate treatment are quick to dump it back on the NHS- sometimes parents pulling out for cost reasons.
People did have and increasingly sought treatment below 18 - hence the recent Cass review which raised certain startling questions prompting many clinicians to have a rethink. We don't just know the longterm effect of puberty blockers. Its now widely thought that puberty hormones do not just affect the development of physical features but also certain mental faculties. What's the longterm effect on a persons cognition if those are used during a phase of rapid development?

Zahra29:
A lot of work is being done in specialist hospitals like Marsden and Imperial on using AI in analysing scans, cancer diagnosis and tumour grading. Mammography AI systems are already being trialled and deployed in breast cancer screenings.
Many other studies are underway, or already completed, using AI in complex areas such as lung cancer and some sarcomas, leading hopefully to more accurate, faster and earlier diagnoses and improved treatment options/outcomes.

Yes, alot is being trown at AI to see what sticks - once good-enough data is out, NICE would start recommending them as the baseline. Considering wait lists and cost of medical care the potential for profit is massive.

Recently, a new reasearch drew waves in the community for demonstrating certain AI models were not inferior when compared to radiologists in picking up possible cancers on specific scans and were able to pick up certain cancers very early. I haven't read the paper but the question on many clinicians minds would be what are hoardes of other insignificant issues it'd highlight that may lead to undue investigations and outcomes. If every positive result of the AI model still has to be reviewed by a clinician (like a well-sold model I recently used), then it may limit it's value. I can see a situation where after a radiologist has read thru a scan, they might feed it through a model as a 'second opinion' to see if there's anything they might have missed.

Goke7:
There have been inconsistencies on the reasons given for folks swinging to the right, the same people will tell you tomorrow that it was because of the economy or inflation another day they will tell you it’s because of immigration and the southern border. All sorts of excuses all in the name of being politically correct so it’s neither here nor there from my observation. Even the DEI excuse thing has been used by many to portray that it was mainly used to promote the trans community while denying the many other benefits it brings for an integrated society.

True- it's multifactorial and also difficult to pin it all down to racism.

That Trump rode the wave of being better for the economy was surprising as we know their economy has been very strong with wage growth across board.
I hope its not like Nigeria of 2000-2010 where we were adamant about how bad things were until we subsequently experienced Buhari. Today we look back fondly at when many could afford 6yo tokunbo cars.

Another issue is expectation and entitlement which can't be kept up with. Its like how many people say they wouldn't have kids cos of how bad the world is without understanding we're living in the best time of human history. Also, an increasing number just want something different- a politician or party that deviates from the norm which is what I think is driving Reform. They are now seeking to appeal to those on the centre-right as they recognise they'd need numbers to make a difference.

jedisco:
True- it's multifactorial and also difficult to pin it all down to racism.

That Trump rode the wave of being better for the economy was surprising as we know their economy has been very strong with wage growth across board.
I hope its not like Nigeria of 2000-2010 where we were adamant about how bad things were until we subsequently experienced Buhari. Today we look back fondly at when many could afford 6yo tokunbo cars.

Another issue is expectation and entitlement which can't be kept up with. Its like how many people say they wouldn't have kids cos of how bad the world is without understanding we're living in the best time of human history. Also, an increasing number just want something different- a politician or party that deviates from the norm which is what I think is driving Reform. They are now seeking to appeal to those on the centre-right as they recognise they'd need numbers to make a difference.

After winning the election, oga Trump himself declared he won mainly because of the southern border and immigration, you see?

abeg what is the something different Reform say they are bringing? before they run us street

Goke7:
After winning the election, oga Trump himself declared he won mainly because of the southern border and immigration, you see?

abeg what is the something different Reform say they are bringing? before they run us street

Hehe...for Reform, it's all freebies- high wages, low tax, no immigration and British born at the front of the benefit queue. Its early, but the polls show people may be buying their story

Goke7:
There have been inconsistencies on the reasons given for folks swinging to the right, the same people will tell you tomorrow that it was because of the economy or inflation another day they will tell you it’s because of immigration and the southern border. All sorts of excuses all in the name of being politically correct so it’s neither here nor there from my observation. Even the DEI excuse thing has been used by many to portray that it was mainly used to promote the trans community while denying the many other benefits it brings for an integrated society.

You nailed it!!

I don't buy any those excuses, they voted for Trump simply because he was running against a woman of colour.

jedisco:
Hehe...for Reform, it's all freebies- high wages, low tax, no immigration and British born at the front of the benefit queue. Its early, but the polls show people may be buying their story

They can deceive themselves with this high wages sha 😜 how much for starters do civil servants earn in this country, and how can low tax and social benefits coexist? just how for God’s sake and people go still fall mugu 😂

justwise:
You nailed it!!

I don't buy any those excuses, they voted for Trump simply because he was running against a woman of colour.

They even called Kamala DEI hire 😂

The lady bishop that was begging baba trump for mercy on immigrants some even want her deported, to where I don’t even know 😂 the same mercy that bishop was asking for is what a republican congress woman of Cuban descent is asking baba Trump for now by writing to the homeland department to spare her Cuban people that are awaiting processing of their status. Just bunch of unserious and inconsistent people.

In 2015 ,the International Olympic Committee produced a guideline which required Testosterone to be below a certain level to compete in female sports.

That guideline has now changed . In 2021,it says hormone testing is medically unnecessary. Other tests can be used to determine if a particular transgender athlete has an unfair advantage over cis athletes.

At the Paris Olympics,they used a case by case criteria to allow competition. Not all Trans females won medals.

For years ,it's been taught that testosterone confers certain advantages in sports but that's not always the case.

I haven't read the cass review but must point out that the British Medical Association has taken a position against that report. It's as clear as mud at the minute.

jedisco:
Yes, alot is being trown at AI to see what sticks - once good-enough data is out, NICE would start recommending them as the baseline. Considering wait lists and cost of medical care the potential for profit is massive.

Recently, a new reasearch drew waves in the community for demonstrating certain AI models were not inferior when compared to radiologists in picking up possible cancers on specific scans and were able to pick up certain cancers very early. I haven't read the paper but the question on many clinicians minds would be what are hoardes of other insignificant issues it'd highlight that may lead to undue investigations and outcomes. If every positive result of the AI model still has to be reviewed by a clinician (like a well-sold model I recently used), then it may limit it's value. I can see a situation where after a radiologist has read thru a scan, they might feed it through a model as a 'second opinion' to see if there's anything they might have missed.

I just laughed out loud . If this AI is anything like copilot or Grok, I ll take a Dr anyday.
No siree bob. None of that for me,Thank you very much

Goke7:
They can deceive themselves with this high wages sha 😜 how much for starters do civil servants earn in this country, and how can low tax and social benefits coexist? just how for God’s sake and people go still fall mugu 😂

High wage, low tax economy. Hehe
They fall mugu by blaming migrants - we are the par*sites eating their cake. In the words of Nigel Farage- 'It's simple, just stop people coming to this country'.

My favourite speak now is pointing out that the productivity of the nation has stalled but expectation hasn't i.e the nation is too poor to afford certain luxuries the populace demands.
I remember telling one that if he thinks my owning a house is the reason why he doesn't have one, I have good news for him- the developers on my estate are still selling houses.

justwise:
You nailed it!!

I don't buy any those excuses, they voted for Trump simply because he was running against a woman of colour.

Hehe. I'm not a Trump fan but it'd do the demogratic party and wider left good to be a bit introspective and consider wider reasons before narrowing it all down to racism. Many have accused the democratic party of being to high-handed and failing to connect with the average person.
Yes a huge chunk voted on racial grounds but there are still many more that didn't.

missjekyll:
In 2015 ,the International Olympic Committee produced a guideline which required Testosterone to be below a certain level to compete in female sports.

That guideline has now changed . In 2021,it says hormone testing is medically unnecessary. Other tests can be used to determine if a particular transgender athlete has an unfair advantage over cis athletes.

At the Paris Olympics,they used a case by case criteria to allow competition. Not all Trans females won medals.

For years ,it's been taught that testosterone confers certain advantages in sports but that's not always the case.

I haven't read the cass review but must point out that the British Medical Association has taken a position against that report. It's as clear as mud at the minute.

In physiology, nothing is hardly always the case. Its called a natural distribution. I'm a man and there are loads of women who are physically stronger than me naturally. However, that does not negate the fact that on average males are physically faster and stronger and we know most of the drivers for that. This isn't just limited to humans.
Regarding hormones, we may not have all the answers but we largely know what they do and we know how people people turn out when they lack them.

Tha BMAs position has been raised concerns among many physicians with lots of fingers being pointed. Oddly, due to long waits, certain NHS groups had pushed in favour of these meds being started in primary care. Eitherway, the report has brought some much needed structure with many local boards being able to offer clear guidance to GPs on the matter which has helped in addressing the increasing number seeking to be started on these meds for gender issues in primary care.
The report is weighty and I have no doubt that down the line if an adult feels they've come to harm as a result of treatment they received in adolescence, they'd bring it up as evidence of negligence.
The report is not all gloomy- it mainly says we need more evidence about this treatment in young ones and already, reasearch in underway which may answer some of these questions.

To be clear, I am not against adults doing with their body whatever they see fit within the ambits of the law. I'm saying that if certain treatment is being offered to young, impressionable minds, we need to tread carefully. The loss of this nuance is where some felt the left had gone to far.

All said, I agree, it's a muddy area with loads of entrenched interests.

jedisco:
Hehe. I'm not a Trump fan but it'd do the demogratic party and wider left good to be a bit introspective and consider wider reasons before narrowing it all down to racism. Many have accused the democratic party of being to high-handed and failing to connect with the average person.
Yes a huge chunk voted on racial grounds but there are still many more that didn't.

Yes even more excuses, so Trump and republican party are soft on Immigration, race, crime and economy?

This is becoming the case of...i'm not racist because my friend is black.

Now Trump is showing his soft side right?

Goke7:
They even called Kamala DEI hire 😂

The lady bishop that was begging baba trump for mercy on immigrants some even want her deported, to where I don’t even know 😂 the same mercy that bishop was asking for is what a republican congress woman of Cuban descent is asking baba Trump for now by writing to the homeland department to spare her Cuban people that are awaiting processing of their status. Just bunch of unserious and inconsistent people.

Rubbish, election has consequences and this is the time to enjoy the outcome of what they voted for

justwise:
Rubbish, election has consequences and this is the time to enjoy the outcome of what they voted for

even veterans just realised they were DEI hires

Lexusgs430:
I have shutdown my moneyfarm portfolio and selling my positions in T212 & Webull.... Would move most of the funds to investengine SIPP (and go spend some of my portfolio growth in Nigeria next week)...... 😂🤣

I tried shutting down my Freetrade SIPP and move to IE (its about £120 per annum). But IE does not do individual stocks (would monitor position).... 😁

Chief, does any of the platforms you use(d) for SIPP have individual stocks - other than Freetrade with the high fees?

I've tried to check but it seems these platforms are intentionally vague about this, for some reason, and I don't want to go opening accounts in every one to test.

I want to weight my portfolio toward more risk/reward but the platforms I use currently either don't have individual stocks (Moneybox) or don't have an SIPP at all (T212).

Jedisco, if you know any too, please.

So after not getting a feedback after 10 weeks (after biometrics), Last week I thought of sending an email to Home Office Complaints. I received the below email in about 1hour after my sent email.


The email received

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for your application for leave to remain in the UK as a spouse.

We are wanting to safeguard and support yourself and your partner.

In order to do so, we require the following information:

How is Ms XXXX current mental health?

Is Ms XXXX currently taking any medication or undergoing any treatment for her mental health?

If yes. please list any prescribed medication and dosage.

What are the details of Ms XXXX UK GP including address & phone number?

Please respond to this email as soon as possible.

Once this information has been received, we will be able to pass the case back to the Decision Maker to continue with the consideration.

For Context see question in the my application:

Q: Are there any factors which would make it difficult or impossible for you to integrate and establish a private life in that country?

A: Yes

Please explain fully

A: Yes, the time it might take to secure a full time job, the language barrier as well as the mental health effect it will have on my partner

This is the only mention of "mental health" in the application.

Zahra29:
Hi, apologies I missed your post.

The 8 weeks timeline is after biometrics but it can often take longer for family visa applications unfortunately, unless you pay for a priority service.

Your application was quite straightforward if I remember correctly so it should hopefully be decided within 3 months.

Kromium:
So after not getting a feedback after 10 weeks (after biometrics), Last week I thought of sending an email to Home Office Complaints. I received the below email in about 1hour after my sent email.


The email received

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for your application for leave to remain in the UK as a spouse.

We are wanting to safeguard and support yourself and your partner.

In order to do so, we require the following information:

How is Ms XXXX current mental health?

Is Ms XXXX currently taking any medication or undergoing any treatment for her mental health?

If yes. please list any prescribed medication and dosage.

What are the details of Ms XXXX UK GP including address & phone number?

Please respond to this email as soon as possible.

Once this information has been received, we will be able to pass the case back to the Decision Maker to continue with the consideration.

For Context see question in the my application:

Q: Are there any factors which would make it difficult or impossible for you to integrate and establish a private life in that country?

A: Yes

Please explain fully

A: Yes, the time it might take to secure a full time job, the language barrier as well as the mental health effect it will have on my partner

This is the only mention of "mental health" in the application.

They take mental health issues seriously here. I am assuming that you made the statement because you felt stressed or so.

If your partner isn't on any medication for mental health issues, you can tell them that it was self certification and just needed time to clear your head but you are better now

jedisco:
We know androgens have a developmental and performance role and not all developmental characteristics can be reversed. At what point did they start being low? What is a top female boxers chance against AJ is he hormonally transitions today? I'd place all bets that he'd still beat the sh*t out of her. Like with many things, I think this has gone full circle.

Gender treatment especially for minors in the NHS is a sh*t show. Wait times span several years. Private clinics which may be quick to initiate treatment are quick to dump it back on the NHS- sometimes parents pulling out for cost reasons.
People did have and increasingly sought treatment below 18 - hence the recent Cass review which raised certain startling questions prompting many clinicians to have a rethink. We don't just know the longterm effect of puberty blockers. Its now widely thought that puberty hormones do not just affect the development of physical features but also certain mental faculties. What's the longterm effect on a persons cognition if those are used during a phase of rapid development?

These people are delusional that’s the truth. A woman was saying her 3 years old son keeps telling her that he is a girl and he keeps choosing girl clothing hence the sole reason she allow the poor boy to be placed on puberty blocker.

jedisco:
High wage, low tax economy. Hehe
They fall mugu by blaming migrants - we are the par*sites eating their cake. In the words of Nigel Farage- 'It's simple, just stop people coming to this country'.

My favourite speak now is pointing out that the productivity of the nation has stalled but expectation hasn't i.e the nation is too poor to afford certain luxuries the populace demands.
I remember telling one that if he thinks my owning a house is the reason why he doesn't have one, I have good news for him- the developers on my estate are still selling houses.

Benefit money him wan use do down payment 🤣

Goodenoch:
Chief, does any of the platforms you use(d) for SIPP have individual stocks - other than Freetrade with the high fees?

I've tried to check but it seems these platforms are intentionally vague about this, for some reason, and I don't want to go opening accounts in every one to test.

I want to weight my portfolio toward more risk/reward but the platforms I use currently either don't have individual stocks (Moneybox) or don't have an SIPP at all (T212).

Jedisco, if you know any too, please.

Hehe. Maybe they keep it on the back burner cos its considered much higher risk esp for ones pension.

I've never bothered to check the individual stock option as I've never considered it. Vanguard doesn't have it I believe. I just checked investengine but its only ETFs
Dodl (owned by AJ Bell but cheaper) allows one buy individual shares in a SIPP though offerings are quite restricted. Their SIPP fee is 0.15% pa. Used them for a S&S Lisa

I use this to compare broker fees: https://monevator.com/compare-uk-cheapest-online-brokers/

But then, how do you decide on which individual stocks to buy?

justwise:
Yes even more excuses, so Trump and republican party are soft on Immigration, race, crime and economy?

This is becoming the case of...i'm not racist because my friend is black.

Now Trump is showing his soft side right?

Hehe. Cant deal.. Trump is a daily new headline.

BTW, can mods on NL edit individual posts?

Kindly note dependent children under 18 are not subjected to limits on absences for ILR

missjekyll:
OP ,did you get all that. Not every child goes through the 7 yr route. If any of the parents get ILR or citizenship,then they can apply for citizenship before 7 years.

So long as they don't spend 180 days out of the country in a year, they are good.

You are not planning to leave them in Nigeria for 6 months are you?
Apply for the passport before booking a ticket. I m not sure what the waiting time is currently.
Such a faff really. Mine is expiring next year. I m already trepidatious

jedisco:
Hehe. Cant deal.. Trump is a daily new headline.

BTW, can mods on NL edit individual posts?

Yes mod can edit posts, personally only when personal details are exposed, fraudulent materials are included or the individual is advertising stuff

Kromium:
So after not getting a feedback after 10 weeks (after biometrics), Last week I thought of sending an email to Home Office Complaints. I received the below email in about 1hour after my sent email.


The email received

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for your application for leave to remain in the UK as a spouse.

We are wanting to safeguard and support yourself and your partner.

In order to do so, we require the following information:

How is Ms XXXX current mental health?

Is Ms XXXX currently taking any medication or undergoing any treatment for her mental health?

If yes. please list any prescribed medication and dosage.

What are the details of Ms XXXX UK GP including address & phone number?

Please respond to this email as soon as possible.

Once this information has been received, we will be able to pass the case back to the Decision Maker to continue with the consideration.

For Context see question in the my application:

Q: Are there any factors which would make it difficult or impossible for you to integrate and establish a private life in that country?

A: Yes

Please explain fully

A: Yes, the time it might take to secure a full time job, the language barrier as well as the mental health effect it will have on my partner

This is the only mention of "mental health" in the application.

10 weeks is not an uncommon timeframe for a standard (i.e. non- priority) FLR M application.

However the Home Office wants to determine if there are any diagnosed mental health conditions that might be triggered/worsened by the pressure of waiting.

Respond truthfully, but if you still don't receive a decision and you want to expedite your application or at least get a status update/ETA, reach out to your MP and explain that you are concerned that the processing is taking longer than expected and can they write to the Home Office to find out why.

This comes off as a "Safeguarding" concern. The Home Office might be investigating potential vulnerabilities or concerns about the applicant’s relationship stability or trying to confirm if they maintain a genuine relationship.

Kromium:
So after not getting a feedback after 10 weeks (after biometrics), Last week I thought of sending an email to Home Office Complaints. I received the below email in about 1hour after my sent email.


The email received

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for your application for leave to remain in the UK as a spouse.

We are wanting to safeguard and support yourself and your partner.

In order to do so, we require the following information:

How is Ms XXXX current mental health?

Is Ms XXXX currently taking any medication or undergoing any treatment for her mental health?

If yes. please list any prescribed medication and dosage.

What are the details of Ms XXXX UK GP including address & phone number?

Please respond to this email as soon as possible.

Once this information has been received, we will be able to pass the case back to the Decision Maker to continue with the consideration.

For Context see question in the my application:

Q: Are there any factors which would make it difficult or impossible for you to integrate and establish a private life in that country?

A: Yes

Please explain fully

A: Yes, the time it might take to secure a full time job, the language barrier as well as the mental health effect it will have on my partner

This is the only mention of "mental health" in the application.

mayo47:
This comes off as a "Safeguarding" concern. The Home Office might be investigating potential vulnerabilities or concerns about the applicant’s relationship stability or trying to confirm if they maintain a genuine relationship.

I think Zahra has got it right. It's a boxticking exercise just to check that there are no diagnosed mental health issues that's being worsened by waiting.

They certainly don't want any responsibility for any drastic action on the part of the applicant.

I would email back and gracefully withdraw any reference to mental health diagnoses then go the MP route if still being delayed.
Hopefully it's won't be much longer.

missjekyll:
I think Zahra has got it right. It's a boxticking exercise just to check that there are no diagnosed mental health issues that's being worsened by waiting.

They certainly don't want any responsibility for any drastic action on the part of the applicant.

I would email back and gracefully withdraw any reference to mental health diagnoses then go the MP route if still being delayed.
Hopefully it's won't be much longer.

This is typical of HO , the reply the op got has nothing to do with the initial email. This is not about safeguarding, I went through this with them when I was applying for my wife’s visa. The op needs two or more emails before someone actually read it and replies accordingly

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/27/tech-shares-asia-europe-fall-china-ai-deepseek?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other


As e dey hot o. I have never seen a better argument for index funds than this o. Omo ,crash is an understatement for what NVIDIA did last night.