Latest news with #N
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dear Richard Madeley:‘We're fed up with our son lecturing us about religion'
My young son – he's 23 – has become very religious and is starting to make critical comments about my and his mother's lifestyle. My partner and I have both had to steer a course between the traditional views of our own parents and the prevailing culture of our generation and our respective professions, and we are broadly happy with where we have ended up – but we're finding his lectures a little tedious. We have attempted to engage him in conversation about this a couple of times but, of course, when one's view is backed up by a sacred text claiming to be the revealed truths of a divine being, there's not much that one can say. I love this boy with all my heart but I've started to dread his weekend visits home. What can we do to find a middle way? – N, via email How unutterably tedious for you both. For all the positives (and comforts) a 'true faith' offers, one of the many accompanying curses of organised religion is the tendency in some adherents to proselytise. To lecture. To finger-wave, moralise and judge. And when it's happening under one's own roof… well, I can only sympathise. Actually, I can do a bit more than that, N. The fact that you've been driven to write to me reveals just how thin your patience must be wearing. Before it snaps completely, you should move on to the front foot; take the initiative. Before your darling boy's next visit home, call him. Keep your tone pleasant, friendly, but firm. Explain that you and his mother are looking forward to seeing him again, but that there is a new house rule: no discussions about faith, religion or God. Say that you both prefer to reflect inwardly on your own belief systems, and choose a meditative approach over explicit discussion or argument. Make it clear in a relaxed way that this is not up for debate: we are each entitled to our own relationship with God – you to yours; he to his. Then change the subject. If he tries to return to it, be firm. Say you've made your decision – the new house rule is now in place – so there's simply no more to be said. I can't guarantee success, N, but it's clear to me you must exercise your parental authority. The Old Testament God has a mantra for that: 'Honour thy father and mother.' I believe the Koran says something similar. You can find more of Richard Madeley's advice here or submit your own dilemma below. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Dear Richard Madeley:‘We're fed up with our son lecturing us about religion'
Dear Richard, My young son – he's 23 – has become very religious and is starting to make critical comments about my and his mother's lifestyle. My partner and I have both had to steer a course between the traditional views of our own parents and the prevailing culture of our generation and our respective professions, and we are broadly happy with where we have ended up – but we're finding his lectures a little tedious. We have attempted to engage him in conversation about this a couple of times but, of course, when one's view is backed up by a sacred text claiming to be the revealed truths of a divine being, there's not much that one can say. I love this boy with all my heart but I've started to dread his weekend visits home. What can we do to find a middle way? – N, via email Dear N, How unutterably tedious for you both. For all the positives (and comforts) a 'true faith' offers, one of the many accompanying curses of organised religion is the tendency in some adherents to proselytise. To lecture. To finger-wave, moralise and judge. And when it's happening under one's own roof… well, I can only sympathise. Actually, I can do a bit more than that, N. The fact that you've been driven to write to me reveals just how thin your patience must be wearing. Before it snaps completely, you should move on to the front foot; take the initiative. Before your darling boy's next visit home, call him. Keep your tone pleasant, friendly, but firm. Explain that you and his mother are looking forward to seeing him again, but that there is a new house rule: no discussions about faith, religion or God. Say that you both prefer to reflect inwardly on your own belief systems, and choose a meditative approach over explicit discussion or argument. Make it clear in a relaxed way that this is not up for debate: we are each entitled to our own relationship with God – you to yours; he to his. Then change the subject. If he tries to return to it, be firm. Say you've made your decision – the new house rule is now in place – so there's simply no more to be said. I can't guarantee success, N, but it's clear to me you must exercise your parental authority. The Old Testament God has a mantra for that: 'Honour thy father and mother.' I believe the Koran says something similar.
Sunday World
07-06-2025
- Sunday World
Woman (38) caught with over €4k worth of drugs including an ‘exotic substance'
Defence barrister, Mr Garnet Orange, SC said at the time of the offence, Candice Faulkner Faulkner was an advocate for the cannabis use. A Donegal woman has appeared in court after being caught with over €4,000 worth of drugs, including an 'exotic substance.' Candice Faulkner (38) of Marion Park, Buncrana appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer charged with drugs offences. She is charged with possession of a controlled drug, namely cannabis, for unlawful sale or supply at Marion Park on December 28, 2020. Additionally, she is also charged with possessing cannabis resin for the purpose of unlawful sale or supply to another on the same date and location. Faulkner is also charged with possessing N,N-Dimethyltryptamine for the purpose of unlawful sale or supply to another on the same date and location. Garda Declan O'Brien and State Prosecutor Fiona Crawford BL outlined the details of the case and said a search warrant was obtained to search Faulkner's property in December 2020. Faulkner was not present at the time of the search on December 28, 2020 but she returned to the house while the gardaí were there. Candice Faulkner. Photo: Northwest News Pix News in 90 Seconds - 7th June The court heard that cannabis, cannabis resin and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N N DMT) were found at the property. Faulkner made full admissions to owning the cannabis while scales, jars and various other items were also found in the property. The court heard Faulkner had previous convictions but they related to traffic matters. Defence barrister, Mr Garnet Orange, SC said at the time of the offence, Faulkner was an advocate for the cannabis use. The cannabis found was 87.7 grams valued at €1,754 while the 289grams of cannabis resin was valued at €1,735.80. However, the court heard it was difficult to put a value on the other plant material but it was valued at €620. In relation to the N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (N N DMT), the court heard a 'strange' red bark material and is a hallucinogenic. Mr Orange referred to the substance as 'eye catching' and an 'exotic substance'. He added there was a difficulty in identifying what it was and placing an evaluation on the substance. Mr Orange said when Faulkner was asked about the substance, she 'didn't have a clue about it' and he said it was found on top of the wardrobe and was covered in dust. The court heard there was a process to distil the hallucinogenic and there was no evidence to suggest that this process was carried out. Mr Orange said Faulkner is a long time cannabis user who uses it in the context of ADHD and she is not out selling drugs on the street. He said the emphasis should be on supply rather than sale. Judge John Aylmer questioned about the other items found at the house and Mr Orange said Faulkner would measure out her own consumption before use and the drugs were for personal use while she also denies that a tick list had anything to do with her. The court heard Faulkner is keen to stop using and is no longer an advocate for cannabis use. Mr Orange asked Judge John Aylmer to deal with the case by a suspended sentence and asked for a probation report to be completed on his client. Judge John Aylmer approved the request for a probation report and ordered it to include an assessment for suitability for community service. The case was adjourned to the October session of the Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bride Has Bridesmaid Photos Retaken, Leaving Out 'Super Tall' Friend Who Didn't Strictly Follow the Dress Code
A new bride shared on Reddit that she retook her bridesmaid photos at her wedding without one of the women because she "was throwing them all off" She said the one bridesmaid "really stood out" in the photos because she is "super tall and has a muscular build" and also didn't strictly follow the dress code The bridesmaid later got upset when the bride posted 30 wedding photos on Facebook, none of which included her A new bride is wondering if she was in the wrong for retaking her bridesmaid photos without one of the women because she "was throwing them all off." She detailed the dilemma in a post on Reddit's "Am I the A------" forum, explaining that she got married two weeks ago and had six bridesmaids. She said one of the bridesmaids — whom she referred to as "N" — is "super tall and has a muscular build." "She was also wearing a patterned dress when I specifically asked all my bridesmaids to wear solid colors (they got to pick their own dresses and just had to match the color I picked ahead of time)," she noted, adding, "So between the dress and her build, N really stood out in the photos and was throwing them all off." According to the bride, she wasn't the only one who shared that opinion. "After the first round of pictures, we all gathered around the photographer to see what we had so far, and I swear everyone had the same thought simultaneously. Of course, nobody said anything because she's our friend and we wouldn't want to be rude," the bride wrote. But to her surprise, N also acknowledged that she stood out in the photos. "[She] turned to me and said, 'I understand if you want to take some without me.' She didn't seem sad or anything and she was even laughing a little," the bride recalled. "So I told her I thought that was a good idea and me and my other bridesmaids retook the photos without her." The bride thought nothing more of it until after the wedding, when she received the final photos from the photographer and decided to post some of her "favorites" on Facebook. "I didn't include any with N since I was only posting like 30 of the absolute best ones," she noted. But soon after posting the photos, the bride received a message from her friend N, expressing "how hurt she was that I didn't post any with her in them and that I took photos without her in the first place." The bride said she apologized to N and also reminded her that she was the one to suggest taking some photos without her. But N didn't accept her apology, instead accusing her of being "a narcissist and selfish." Ever since the heated exchange, the two friends have not spoken. "I'm so confused since she literally told me I could retake them without her. I also don't think it's such a crime for me to want my wedding photos to be perfect. My husband agrees with me," the bride concluded her post, asking fellow Redditors if she was wrong to exclude her friend. In the comments section, readers did not mince words in telling the OP (original poster) that she behaved terribly to N. "Damn, you really are a rather s----- friend. You really told her that her 'build' doesn't match your aesthetic?" one person wrote. "Good on her for calling you on your shallowness." Another said: "She saw how she stood out, and probably suggested taking some pics without her to make an excuse and lighten the mood. Such comments should always be met with a 'of course we're not, you're part of my wedding' comment. Not actually taking new pictures without her, and then showing her these are the ones you prefer." Someone else reminded the OP: "Your bridesmaids are your friends, not props. You don't get to exclude them from pictures because they're 'distracting.' " Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "So having instagrammable pictures and a good aesthetic matters more to you than preserving the memory of the day, which included this friend who spent time and money to be there and support you," the same person added. "Yeah, I wouldn't talk to you again." One reader expressed their sympathy for N having been slighted in such a "hurtful" way. "I've never wanted to give a stranger a hug so badly before. I can't even imagine how N felt when she left your wedding; only to have to scroll through 30 of your 'absolute favourite' photos two weeks later and have her heart broken all over again." Read the original article on People
NDTV
09-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Struggling With Alcohol Consumption? Psychedelics Could Offer A Way Out
Psychedelics could be used to help people reduce their alcohol dependence, a new study currently underway has claimed. For people who struggle to control their drinking, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious physical, mental and social consequences. Since traditional experiments do not work for most, scientists at the University College London (UCL) have sought alternatives such as psychedelics The researchers are focusing on N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a fast-acting psychedelic, whose effects kick in almost immediately when administered intravenously. DMT is the active ingredient in the Amazonian brew ayahuasca, which has a long history of ceremonial use in South America. DMT was particularly chosen as it can impact neuroplasticity -- the brain's ability to form new neural connections. This temporary boost could open a window of flexibility, allowing some people to be more open to change. "Excessive drinking is partly driven by alcohol hijacking the brain's built-in motivation and reward system. We are seeking to counteract that with our treatment. DMT has some interesting effects on the plasticity of our brains, so we hope it can help 'rewrite' the reward associations people have with alcohol," said Professor Ravi Das, co-director of UCL's Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit and joint-lead of the study. Study underway The study is currently underway, where volunteers (mostly heavy drinkers) are given DMT, a placebo or active control drugs (two non-hallucinogenic medications already in common use which may impact brain plasticity) at the UCL lab. The study is double-blind, meaning neither the participants nor the researchers know about the substance being administered. They also undergo two MRI scans while watching a movie so that the scientists can examine whether the drug causes lasting changes in brain function. The volunteers will attend follow-up sessions up to nine months later to analyse the impact the intervention has had on them. "If DMT proves effective in helping people reduce their alcohol consumption, particularly for those who have struggled with other treatments, it could pave the way for a new approach to addiction therapy," the study highlighted, according to ScienceAlert. The scientists warned that psychedelics are potent substances and that their effects can be unpredictable. Taking them without caution or a medical prescription could be dangerous.
