THREAD: melbourne australia james cook statue

JAMES COOK Statue Destruction Sparks RAW Anger In Australia’S Culture WAR

15 May 2025 — A city council in Melbourne, Australia, has decided not to fix a vandalized statue of British explorer James Cook. The monument was broken and covered with anti-colonial graffiti after Australia Day, which some activists now call “Invasion Day.” Critics blame Cook for Britain’s settlement of Australia and have targeted his statue many times.

Mayor Stephen Jolly said the council voted against spending $9,700 to repair the statue again. He claimed the choice was about saving taxpayer money, not giving in to activists or picking sides in culture battles.

“It costs us AU$15,000 every time we fix it and it keeps getting destroyed or defaced,” Jolly told Australian Broadcasting Corp. The damaged monument is now sitting in storage as arguments over national history grow louder.

Many Australians see this as another sign that radical activists are erasing history instead of learning from it — leaving communities divided over what should be remembered and honored on public land.

IRON AGE Treasure Trove: Unveiling Britain’s Ancient Secrets

28 March 2025 — A stunning collection of Iron Age artifacts has been unearthed in the United Kingdom. Durham University hailed the find as “one of the largest and most important” in the nation. The Melonsby Hoard was discovered by metal detectorist Peter Heads in 2021 and excavated by archaeologists a year later.

The hoard consists of over 800 objects dating back around 2,000 years, during Roman rule in Britain. Among these are 28 iron tires likely used for wagons or chariots. Other notable items include a cauldron, a wine mixing bowl, horse harnesses, bridle bits, and ceremonial spears.

This discovery offers valuable insights into life during the Iron Age in Britain. Such finds are rare and provide a glimpse into ancient practices and technologies. The artifacts will undergo further study to better understand their historical significance.

CYCLONE ALFRED’S Wrath: 300,000 Homes Powerless in Queensland

09 March 2025 — Ex-Cyclone Alfred has knocked out power to about 316,540 homes in Queensland. The storm hit Australia’s east coast hard, leaving a trail of destruction.

Power outages are causing major disruptions in daily life across many areas. Crews are working to restore normalcy and repair the cyclone’s damage.

Stay updated with our coverage as authorities work around the clock to handle this crisis and support affected communities.

BRITAIN’S Ancient Coinage Tradition: A Fascinating Ritual

12 February 2025 — In London, an ancient tradition ensures the integrity of British coinage. Judges in red robes gather for the Trial of the PYX, a ceremony dating back to the 12th century. This event inspects and weighs coins from The Royal Mint to prevent counterfeiting.

Eleni Bide from the Goldsmiths’ Company explained that standardized coins deter forgery by ensuring reliability and quality. Nearly 6,500 coins were tested, including future pocket change and collectible editions like Harry Potter and Star Wars themes.

The mint also honored figures such as Paul McCartney and George Orwell with special coin releases this year. A unique sixpence made from recycled silver X-ray films was among them.

The ceremony’s name comes from “pyxis,” meaning small box in Greek, reflecting how coins are presented for testing in Pyx boxes. Jurors randomly select these coins to ensure they meet strict standards.

AUSTRALIAN Writer’s HISTORIC WIN Stirs Emotions

20 November 2024 — Australian author Richard Flanagan has made history by winning Britain’s prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for nonfiction. This achievement comes ten years after he won the Booker Prize for fiction. His award-winning memoir, “Question 7,” mixes autobiography with family history and the story of the atomic bomb’s development.

Flanagan previously won the Booker Prize in 2014 for “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.” The novel was inspired by his father’s experiences as a World War II prisoner under Japanese captivity. Toby Mundy, Baillie Gifford Prize director, noted that winning both top U.K.-based fiction and nonfiction awards is unprecedented.

Isabel Hilton, chair of the judging panel, called Flanagan’s work a “meditative symphony.” She praised how it weaves together major traumatic events of the 20th century with a unique personal story. Hilton pointed out that Flanagan’s background in fiction added inventiveness and narrative quality to his book.

Flanagan did not attend the award ceremony in London to accept his trophy personally. Organizers shared that he was trekking through Tasmania’s rainforest at the time of his historic win.

POP-TARTS ART Showcase: A Delicious Tribute to POP Culture

24 October 2024 — A pop-up art gallery in London is celebrating 60 years of Pop-Tarts with unique artwork made from the breakfast pastries. Nathan Wyburn, a food artist from Wales, was commissioned by Kellanova to create three pieces for the Pop (T)Art Gallery Experience. The gallery will be open for two days and features various Pop-Tarts-inspired artworks.

Wyburn spent over 10 hours crafting portraits of Marilyn Monroe and the Mona Lisa using more than 120 Pop-Tarts. He described using Pop-Tarts as a “unique and intriguing experience” that embodies pop art’s essence. Creating an homage to Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe piece was particularly challenging due to Monroe’s distinct look, he noted.

The event highlights how ordinary items like breakfast pastries can be transformed into extraordinary art pieces, capturing the spirit of pop culture. Wyburn expressed respect for the original artworks that inspired his creations but believes they look “pretty epic” when recreated with Pop-Tarts.

The gallery is open on October 25 and 26 in London, offering a brief but memorable artistic experience for visitors who want to see something truly different and fun!

REPARATIONS Showdown: Commonwealth SUMMIT Faces Intense Debate

24 October 2024 — Caribbean leaders are set to highlight reparations for the trans-Atlantic slave trade at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that compensation is not on the agenda, but tensions are rising. King Charles III, attending despite battling cancer, may face tough discussions.

The Commonwealth’s Secretary-General Patricia Scotland noted the group’s history of tackling hard issues. Reports suggest a draft statement acknowledges calls for “reparatory justice,” though British officials reportedly opposed a separate declaration on reparations. Caribbean and African leaders are pushing hard for this topic to be addressed at the summit.

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis stressed the need for an honest dialogue about historical wrongs with Starmer. He hopes to include reparations in their final communique and engage in a frank discussion on this sensitive issue.

While some nations have apologized for their role in slavery, Britain has not formally done so despite its significant involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The U.K.’s abolition of slavery came decades after outlawing the trade itself, and some British institutions are beginning to acknowledge their past ties to slavery.

KING Charles’s NEW Portrait Shocks Royal Fans

15 May 2024 — King Charles’s first official portrait by UK artist Jonathan Yeo introduces postmodern elements, breaking from traditional royal portraits. The 8.5ft by 6.5ft painting features the King in Welsh Guards uniform, holding a sword.

The portrait surrounds King Charles with a vivid red abstract cloud and includes a butterfly above his right shoulder, symbolizing his lifelong environmental activism and metamorphosis into the role of King.

Yeo aimed to blend royal traditions with modernity, reflecting a 21st-century monarchy and highlighting the King’s humanity. He expressed gratitude for capturing such an extraordinary figure at this historic moment.

London PRO-PALESTINE Protests Ignite Controversy: Multiple Arrests and Shocking Symbols Unveiled

15 November 2023 — Central London witnessed a wave of pro-Palestine demonstrations on Saturday. The majority of the event was peaceful, but nearly 100 protesters were detained. An equal number of hard-right counter-protesters also faced arrests.

The Metropolitan Police are seeking six marchers for questioning, including one woman who displayed a contentious sign. This woman, identified as ex-Labour activist Kate Varnfield, held a placard stating “no British politician should be a ‘friend of Israel’,” with an alarming Swastika-Star of David symbol splattered with red.

Varnfield’s spouse defended the sign’s symbolism, claiming it wasn’t antisemitic but instead represented the emblem for Raelism — a UFO cult from the '70s that purports human life was engineered by extraterrestrials prepping for their return to Earth. Authorities have questioned two individuals regarding this controversial placard.