redfiona99 | Entries tagged with animals

Animals:

Fossil of Ancient Bird Three Times Bigger Than an Ostrich Found in Europe - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/fossil-bird-three-times-size-ostrich-found-europe-180972508/

Miscellaneous:

FREE PADS AND TAMPONS - https://brightnshinythings.tumblr.com/post/185960003164/free-pads-and-tampons Not sure how in-date the links are, but it's worth a go

Actors:

Kathy Burke: ‘Lifelong member of the non-pretty working classes’ - https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/oct/29/kathy-burke-interview-lifelong-member-of-the-non-pretty-working-classes To an extent, her experience, and someone like Caitlin Moran, reflect my experience a lot more than the "proper" 'this is what it's like to be a modern woman'. The non-pretty-working-class experience (which I am going to steal if I ever need a description) is underrepresented.

Animals:

New great ape species identified in Indonesia - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41848816

Economics:

Managing the managers: The rise of the business 'philosopher-kings' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41582245

Health:

The nurse hired to combat cancer myths online - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41780776 It's terrible that she's needed but I am glad that she's there.

Teasing Kids About Their Weight May Make Them Gain More - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/30/728111494/teasing-kids-about-their-weight-may-make-them-gain-more There is data if you need some to beat people over the head with.

Just a few nights of bad sleep upsets your brain - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41816398 My anecdata agree with this.

10 things to know about sleep as the clocks change - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41666563

History:

Forgotten history: The black missionaries of Colwyn Bay - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-41777209

Savitri Devi: The mystical fascist being resurrected by the alt-right - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41757047

Media:

Tackling the 'boys' club' of political cartoons - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41724321

Miscellaneous:

Have Halloween costume bans in Canada gone too far? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41768859 In traditional Betteridge’s law style, the answer is no.

Free ATMs could be cut back in cash machine shake-up - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-your-money-41832537 And that was before COVID

The US state that bans sparklers but not guns - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41811499

How Facebook saved a dying mill town - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40050607

Religion:

The young man who shook the Catholic Church to its core - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41742857

Sport:

Horse racing:

Talking Horses: pros and cons of an upper age limit for jumps racehorses - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/oct/30/talking-horses-pros-and-cons-of-an-upper-age-limit-for-jumps-racehorses

Ice hockey:

Champions Hockey League: Nottingham Panthers hope to continue European fairytale - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/41788910 From 2017 - Unfortunately they then lost, but it’s the start of what has been good times for GB Ice Hockey

Winter Olympics:

The highlights of past Winter Olympics - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-41816520

Technology:

The robot lawyers are here - and they’re winning - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-41829534 Although this could go under 'law and order' as well

Television:

Ghostwatch: The BBC spoof that duped a nation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41740176 Let me assure you, it was terrifying.

Animals:

Call to conserve 'crucial' rare Wales spider species - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-41767247

Dinosaurs:

Dinosaur sported 'bandit mask' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41763478

Sport:

Football:

Asmir Begovic: ‘You have a life and – boom – it’s turned upside down’ - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/27/asmir-begovic-you-have-a-life-and-boom-it-s-turned-upside-down-bournemouth-chelsea Putting this under football, but it's about more than that.

Rugby League:

'Una famiglia': the diverse roots of Italy's Rugby League World Cup squad - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/24/una-famiglia-the-diverse-roots-of-italys-rugby-league-world-cup-squad From the 2017 World Cup, but this time round they're being put up in St Helens so one is obliged to cheer for them, even more than usual.

Tom van Vollenhoven obituary - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/oct/23/tom-van-vollenhoven-obituary Highlighting the sub-heading - "Outstanding rugby league player who scored 392 tries in 409 games for St Helens". That is an entirely ridiculous ratio. Also, dear Sky, no matter how hard you try, 'Wide to West' is not as good as the van Vollenhoven try.

Animals:

Sold for a song: The forest birds captured for their tuneful voices - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/sold_for_a_song

Longer beaks in UK great tits 'down to garden feeders' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41696123

Dinosaurs:

Nodosaur Dinosaur ‘Mummy’ Unveiled With Skin And Guts Intact - https://allthatsinteresting.com/nodosaur-dinosaur-mummy

Food and Drink:

Toronto Restaurant Fights Waste By Chopping Menu Prices Till Food Is Gone - https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/05/02/718298132/toronto-restaurant-fights-waste-by-chopping-menu-prices-till-food-is-gone

Literature:

How to Download the Books That Just Entered the Public Domain - https://www.vice.com/en/article/qvq99b/how-to-download-the-books-that-just-entered-the-public-domain Article from 2017

Miscellaneous:

What it's like being black and working class at Cambridge - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-41696224

Sport:

Cricket:

Women's Ashes 2017: What happened after England won the World Cup? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41546410 Article from 2017

Football:

Chelsea, Watford, Everton and Crystal Palace miss disabled spaces targets - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41698169 Article from 2017

Rugby Union:

Alhambra Nievas: Female referee hopes to 'create a pathway' for other women - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41698506

Animals:

The alpacas protecting 24,000 Christmas turkeys - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38133658

Koala survives 16km ride on car axle in Adelaide, Australia - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-41293163

Literature:

His Bloody Project: Author returns to the scene of the crime - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41253753

Miscellaneous:

Stanislav Petrov, who averted possible nuclear war, dies at 77 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41314948

The world's least likely Girl Guides - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41306292

Food in a fragile world - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-41306112

Harassed women are Facebook tagging this man for help - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-41306754

Politics:

Brexit negotiations: how is the UK doing? - http://ottocr.at/brexit-negotiations-how-is-the-uk-doing From 2017

Sport:
Baseball:

Major League Baseball: Teams break single-season home run record - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/baseball/41330702 From 2017

Boxing:

Jake LaMotta: Legendary Raging Bull boxer dies at 95 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41339153

Cricket:

Adam Hollioake on staying in Afghanistan after bomb attack- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41304514 From 2017

Football:

A stadium called Wanda: opening night at Atlético Madrid's new home - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/sep/18/a-stadium-called-wanda-opening-night-at-atletico-madrids-new-home From 2017

North Korea: Bengaluru FC's Erik Paartalu on missile launches, lost baggage and Kim Jong-un memes- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41257024 From 2017

Parasport:

'I'm handing back my medal': Is Paralympic sport classification fit for purpose? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/41253174

Tennis:

JAPAN'S KIMIKO DATE HAS NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO COACH - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/japan-s-kimiko-date-has-no-immediate-plans-to-coach_sto6339701/story.shtml From 2017

Technology:

Why switching to fully electric cars will take time - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41268513

Nigel - the robot that could tell you how to vote - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40860937 More about AI but ...

How to write your own blog using R - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tTGoYo3rgkmo-OEU-yYwNOUHnG2mw9mUPnATAA4CaU8/edit#slide=id.g35f391192_00 Which explains it much better than most

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1282766.html

Animals:

There's No Stopping Toronto's 'Uber-Raccoon' - https://www.npr.org/2018/09/16/647599627/theres-no-stopping-toronto-s-uber-raccoon

Languages:

Dictionary of the Oldest Written Language–It Took 90 Years to Complete, and It’s Now Free Online - https://www.openculture.com/2017/08/dictionary-of-the-oldest-written-language-it-took-90-years-to-complete-and-its-now-free-online.html

Sport:

Boxing:

A Trans Man Steps Into The Ring – And Wins His Debut As A Professional Boxer - https://www.npr.org/2018/12/13/676586360/a-trans-man-steps-into-the-ring-and-wins From 2018

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1274948.html

Animals:

Scientists Unveil Ancient Sea Monsters Found In Angola - https://www.npr.org/2018/11/08/659551721/scientists-unveil-ancient-sea-monsters-found-in-angola

Economics:

Viewpoint: Why Modi's currency gamble was 'epic failure' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-41100610 From 2017

Geography:

An Interesting Fact About Every London Tube Station - https://thenudge.com/features/tube-facts/

Languages:

Trying to save South Africa's first language - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39935150

Miscellaneous:

Namibia's Himba people caught between traditions and modernity - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40247310

Slide Show: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Through the Years - https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/slide-show-ruth-bader-ginsburg-through-the-years

Should buying the morning-after pill be easier? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2k67StYBY0tMzNP1gs1xVSJ/should-buying-the-morning-after-pill-be-easier

Music:

Sia Is The 21st Century's Most Resilient Songwriter -https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664395501/sia-is-the-21st-centurys-most-resilient-songwriter

Politics:

Labour's Kezia Dugdale ‘was outed as gay against her will’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41082971 Also about other politicians's experiences of coming out.

Sport:

Athletics:

Doping: More than 30% of athletes at 2011 Worlds admit to doping - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/41084175

Football:

FA Cup: Billericay Town owner aiming for the Premier League - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40997071 From 2017, I think many things have changed with Billericay. They were the mid-2010s "that club with mad owners and wild plans".

Rugby union:

Premiership and Championship players to aid study into new head injury test - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41094045

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1268062.html

Animals:

Penguin using Plenty of Fish to try and score a date - https://metro.co.uk/2017/05/20/penguin-using-plenty-of-fish-to-try-and-score-a-date-6649984/ And in a vitally important update, he was successful - https://www.metro.news/spruce-the-lonesome-penguin-finds-love-match-on-dating-site/721626/

Culture:

Somalia's lost tapes revive musical memories - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40966656

Food:

West Africa steams over jollof rice war - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-41053424 From 2017

Politics:

Tory Pollster: Theresa May's Election Campaign Trashed Her Brand As Badly As Gerald Ratner - https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-ratners-trashed-brand-lord-hayward-tory-pollster_uk_599f2eace4b0821444c1e5d7?ev5 From 2017

Sport:

Baseball:

Manny Machado and the Postseason Narrative Tax - https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2018/10/30/18041606/manny-machado-free-agency-dodgers-yankees-phillies This is in the baseball section, but similarly biased commentary has been demonstrated to occur in football.

Boxing:

World Amateur Boxing Championships: Cheavon Clarke on coming back to life - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/41035191 From 2017

Football:

YouTube football team Hashtag United 'living the dream' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40973109 From 2017

Rugby:

Ex-England rugby captain Gill Burns camps in bar - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41037891 From 2017. She's from round our way.

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1266083.html

Animals:

'Her Radiant Rolls' Put Her Over The Top: Alaska Park Names Its 'Fattest Bear' - https://www.npr.org/2018/10/10/655937903/alaska-national-park-declares-fattest-bear-winner From Fat Bear Week 2018. In this year's edition, I had to explain to Friend L exactly WTF was going on.

Miscellaneous:

Trying Not To Break Down — A Homeless Teen Navigates Middle School - https://www.npr.org/2018/10/09/653386388/trying-not-to-break-down-a-homeless-teen-navigates-middle-school

Politics:

Missouri Judge Blocks Parts Of State Voter Photo ID Law - https://www.npr.org/2018/10/10/656049939/missouri-judge-blocks-parts-of-state-voter-photo-id-law From 2018, because the small wins are important.

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1258958.html

Animals:

For Berlin, Invasive Crustaceans Are A Tough Catch And A Tough Sell - https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/08/08/636504971/for-berlin-invasive-crustaceans-are-a-tough-catch-and-a-tough-sell

Miscellaneous:

Slide Show: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Through the Years
- https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/slide-show-ruth-bader-ginsburg-through-the-years

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1245130.html

Animals:

New grass snake identified in the UK - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40853286

Architecture:

Listed buildings: New additions mark 70 years of preservation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-40812611 From 2017

Art:

Walls of water: Hokusai and the Great Wave of Camberwell - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-40830628

History:

Partition of India: The partition of India and the birth of Pakistan shaped the lives of generations of families.

In the era of the Raj, India was the jewel in Britain's imperial crown, but in 1947 everything changed. -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-d88680d1-26f2-4863-be95-83298fd01e02

Miscellaneous:

Now Hiring: A Company Offers Drug Treatment And A Job To Addicted Applicants - https://www.npr.org/2018/07/27/631557443/now-hiring-a-company-offers-drug-treatment-and-a-job-to-addicted-applicants

Politics:
Both from 2017

Why Is Donald Trump Still So Horribly Witless About the World? - https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/why-is-donald-trump-still-so-horribly-witless-about-the-world

There Is No Way to Survive the Trump White House: The tenures of Reince Priebus and Anthony Scaramucci represent two opposite, but equally ineffective, strategies for surviving the Trump White House - https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/there-is-no-way-to-survive-the-trump-white-house-253401/

Science:

The Swedish physicist revolutionising birth control- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40629994 I have the gravest of grave doubts.

Sport:
Athletics:

Usain Bolt: Eight-time Olympic champion's career in 9.58 charts - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/40779741

Baseball:

Team named for legendary Mamie 'Peanut' Johnson wins DC Little League championship- https://wjla.com/news/local/mamie-peanut-johnson-dc-little-league-championship From 2018

Football:

Premier League is 25 years old: Facts and figures behind the first quarter-century - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40704646 From 2017

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1241863.html

Animals:

People Are Knitting Giant Sweaters For Rescued Elephants To Protect Them From Cold - https://www.boredpanda.com/people-knit-giant-sweaters-rescue-elephants/

Science:

50 Rare Dinosaur Footprints Found on Scottish Island - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/50-rare-dinosaur-footprints-found-scottish-island-180968666/

The Science Of Firework Color -

Watch on YouTube

Although, having worked with it, I'm not sure that copper is all that much better than arsenic. (Okay, I worked with CuSO4 which is a different thing but still ...)

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1238673.html

Animals:

Unlocking the Secrets Behind the Hummingbird's Frenzy - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/07/hummingbird-secrets-speed-worlds-smallest-bird/

Mighty T. rex 'walked rather than sprinted' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40632751

How did dogs become our best friends? New evidence - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40638584

Design:

Why a Toaster Is a Design Triumph: The “A Bit More” button doesn’t reinvent the appliance’s form. It finds its soul instead. - https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/07/toaster-a-bit-more-button/534312/

Economics:

Girl, 5, fined £150 for lemonade stand - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40679075 Mostly used to discuss the UK street trader rules.

Why the world's biggest investor backs the simplest investment - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40189970 More about index funds and what they are.

Healthcare:

Doctors Told Her She Was Just Fat. She Actually Had Cancer. - https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a19608429/medical-fatshaming/

Language:

Why You Need Emoji: Emojis are the body language of the digital age. - http://nautil.us/issue/50/emergence/why-you-need-emoji

Miscellaneous:

'I was named after a World War One battle' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40645645

Polyamorous marriage: Is there a future for three-way weddings? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-40655103

The Royal Family's dress code uncovered - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40640634

As an open-air heroin camp is closed, options narrow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40637288

Adam Maier-Clayton's controversial right-to-die campaign - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40546632

Politics:

Taiwan's brawling in parliament is a political way of life - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40640043

Sport:

Concussion in sport: Five sports gather to discuss head-injury prevention - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40675605 The five sports are rugby union, rugby league, American football, ice hockey, and Australian rules football.

Football:

Africa Cup of Nations: Date switch makes African players more attractive, say agents - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40673626 From 2018. Mostly I worry about the playing conditions at the new times.

Rugby League:

Rob Burrow: Leeds Rhinos hooker to retire at the end of the Super League season - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/40654450 From 2017 but saving for posterity.

Technology:

Google Glass 2.0 Is a Startling Second Act: The trendy-creepy glasses flopped. Then the tech giant realized that the future of wearables was in factories and warehouses. - https://www.wired.com/story/google-glass-2-is-here/

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1224928.html

Animals:

Eurasian lynx: Plan to return it to Kielder Forest to be submitted - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-40542306 Have a lynx link.

Architecture:

Eritrea capital Asmara makes World Heritage list - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40544406

Art:

Blue-sky thinking: How Yorkshire Sculpture Park broke the mould - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5dRb2phYh5zqddNYzQYhZyP/blue-sky-thinking-how-yorkshire-sculpture-park-broke-the-mould

Education:

10 charts that show the effect of tuition fees - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-40511184

Food and drink:

The billionaire trying to make the world's best Pinot Noir - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40496904

Health:

Behind the Headlines - Your guide to the science that makes the news. - https://www.nhs.uk/news/ Because sometimes I get cranky while fact-checking other people’s medical science posts on tumblr, and occasionally in RL, may I humbly recommend the NHS’s website for when relatives declaim that baking soda cures cancer.

Law and order:

The prison monitor sacked after voicing her concerns - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39113391

Prison officers 'assaulted on regular basis' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40519755

Miscellaneous:

The love that survived a Chinese labour camp - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40544415

Madagascar: Where France's maritime history sails on - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40555125

Music:

The secrets of a hit summer song - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40497669

News:

Gay man wins Supreme Court case on equal pension rights - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40580596

Migrant crisis: 'Hipster right’ group trying to stop rescue ships - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40505337

Politics:

I don't normally post political cartoons, but this one is a cracker - https://rejectingrepublicans.tumblr.com/post/171644272454

Shoppers 'in the dark' about Brexit effect - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40530700

Most characteristic words in pro- and anti-feminist tweets - https://web.archive.org/web/20180928230709/http://www.prooffreader.com/2015/05/most-characteristic-words-in-pro-and.html

Science:

Subatomic science: 10 things we know (and don’t know) about the fabric of the universe - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3TgVv4h7Xd3y89N73XZ5z5p/subatomic-science-10-things-we-know-and-don-t-know-about-the-fabric-of-the-universe

Social media:

Taxonomy of Humans According to Twitter - By generating automated targeted ads, “The Infinite Campaign” exposes the bizarre rubrics Twitter uses to render its users legible. - https://thenewinquiry.com/taxonomy-of-humans-according-to-twitter/

Sport:

Football:

Fan's dying wish leads to Stranraer versus FC Twente game - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-40494622

Stop shouting: how Sweden tackled misbehaving parents at kids’ football - https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jul/10/shouting-parents-football-sweden-football-code?CMP=fb_a-football_b-gdnfootball

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1219052.html

Is back to the plural but still not many.

Animals:

Great Lakes Gray Wolves' Spot Safe On Endangered Species List — For Now - https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/01/541010111/great-lakes-gray-wolves-spot-safe-on-endangered-species-list-for-now

Birds Of A Feather, Photograph Together - https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/birds-of-a-feather-photograph-together/

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1164121.html

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1125420.html

Animals:

New Zealand town builds underpass for march of the penguins -
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/11/new-zealand-town-builds-underpass-for-march-of-the-penguins-oamaru-otago

Food:

Kinky Cakes: Inside The World Of Adult Bakeries -
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/04/08/522489528/kinky-cakes-inside-the-world-of-adult-bakeries

Healthcare:

The GP surgery that treats patients no-one else can cope with - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37898130

History:

Important moments in the fight for equal pay - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37899167

Miscellaneous:

Why does this woman think she is ugly? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37923088

Killed by Jutting and forgotten by Indonesia - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37845487

Politics:

Whistle blown on MSP Douglas Ross's refereeing clash
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38078341 Although this really could have gone into the football section as well, given "A leading Scottish Conservative MSP missed a parliamentary committee to referee a Champions League match in Portugal."

US Election 2016: A survivor's guide to unexpected voting results - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37921356

US election: America the beautiful's ugly election - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37903384

Sport:

Cricket:

ECB’s Kolpak clampdown is the latest gambit in cricket’s hundred-year war
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/apr/11/the-spin-ecb-kolpak-kyle-abbott-rilee-rossouw-billy-midwinter

Football:

Howard Webb reveals players asked to be booked to have Christmas off -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/howard-webb-reveals-players-asked-to-be-booked-to-have-christmas-off_sto5958796/story.shtml

Besiktas fans use sign language for ‘world’s first silent cheer’ to inspire team -
http://lebuzz.eurosport.co.uk/viral/video-besiktas-fans-use-sign-language-for-worlds-first-silent-cheer-to-inspire-team-22230/?_ga=1.32916278.904648745.1479987725

The match that pitted white players against black players - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37924448

I only used the ‘hairdryer’ six times in 27 years, claims Sir Alex Ferguson -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/i-only-used-the-hairdryer-six-times-in-27-years-claims-sir-alex-ferguson_sto5944583/story.shtml I don't believe him either.

Dresden fined 60,000 euros for severed bull's head - http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/dresden-fined-60000-euros-for-severed-bull-s-head_sto5942888/story.shtml In which everyone hates Red Bull Leipzig. I suspect Dresden hate them more than usual because of proximity, a suspicion strengthened by the signs says "without Red Bull you are nothing" and "you can't buy tradition".

Formula 1:

Williams chief - Rivals better at exploiting rules - http://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/williams-rivals-better-at-exploiting-rules_sto5958806/story.shtml Dear Pat Symonds. Really, given that you used to work with Flavio Briatore, you ought to know that if you ain't cheating, you're not trying hard enough.

Williams to run special Massa livery in Brazil - http://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/williams-to-run-special-massa-livery-in-brazil_sto5945220/story.shtml Late, and somewhat overtaken by later event, but this was a lovely touch.

Rugby union:

Sonny Bill Williams: Auckland Blues and New Zealand grant kit request - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39577166 Because Money Bill, not matter how much I mock him, is love.

Snooker:

Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and a magical 24-year rivalry unique to sport -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/ronnie-osullivan-john-higgins-and-a-24-year-rivalry-unique-to-professional-sport_sto5948321/story.shtml

Theatre:

Shakespeare's Tempest gets mixed reality makeover - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38000619

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1119570.html

Animals:

The Man Who Saves Cranes - http://www.audubonmagazine.org/articles/birds/man-who-saves-cranes

Quagga mussel: 'Dangerous' mollusc found near Heathrow Airport - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-29581949

I know this is actually serious but I can’t get past the vision of a mollusc with a knife threatening everyone for their lunch money.

Miscellaneous:

What It’s Like to Carry Your Nobel Prize through Airport Security - http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2014/10/10/nobel-prize-airport-security/ via

nwhyte

Science:

The fatal attraction of lead - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29568505

Sport:

Boxing:

Boxing journeymen: sport's biggest losers or unappreciated artists? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/29520846

Even if you're not into boxing, this is an interesting insight into boxing as an industry.

Football:

England v San Marino: Simoncini - cheating death to facing Rooney - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29530004

Or a little bit of background about the San Marino team. And why I, along with all right thinking people, was cheering for them against England.

"I remember walking the dog thinking, 'This ain't for me'": The England star who quit to run a restaurant - https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/former-england-star-quit-football-to-run-restaurant-092346913.html

It must be said, he seems a lot happier now.

Price of Football: Ticket increases outstrip cost of living - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29614980

Some of the details are significantly more interesting than the overall view, like how Sheikh Mansour seems to be keeping Man City's ticket prices down.

Hedgehog stops game between Hitchin Town and Arlesey Town - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29612605

Animals:

Urban kingfishers making a home on London's waterways - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-29204055

US reroutes flights around Alaska beach in attempt to avoid walrus stampede - http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/01/walrus-alaska-beach-trampled-death Walruses are the latest victims of global warming (via

nwhyte)

The freedivers who swim with whales - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29209139

Archaeology:

Greeks captivated by Alexander-era tomb at Amphipolis - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29239529

Temple of Mithras: How do you put London's Roman shrine back together? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-29309824

Beyond Angkor: How lasers revealed a lost city - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29245289

Data Visualisations:

Mapping Murder - http://imgur.com/gallery/fo63erj - American homicide rate per 100,000 people (2012) I just really like the way they've visualised the data.

Map: Most Popular Female Names by State - http://i.imgur.com/DQ2Jhp3.gif From 1960 - 2012 Useful for the writers out there.

Map: Most Popular Male Names by State - http://i.imgur.com/xQeel1x.gif From 1960 - 2012 Useful for the writers out there.

History:

Day out at the gallows and other bygone photographic oddities - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29246071 - Selections from Victorian and Edwardian era photography from the Woodhorn Museum and Northumberland Archives.

The UK was home to 250,000 Belgian refugees during World War One, the largest single influx in the country's history. So why did they vanish with little trace? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28857769

Language/Dialects/Etc:

Why is the Birmingham accent so difficult to mimic? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29307916

The rich: Exactly what does the terminology mean? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15822595

Miscellaneous:

Battle horse roundabout in Tewkesbury 'best in Britain' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-29407943

Don’t Be Ugly By Accident! - http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/page/8/ - Or which photographs (including manufacturer, time and device) make you more likely to get OK Cupid hits.

Taboola: The internet firm at the forefront of 'click-bait' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29322578 Interesting stuff, certainly more interesting than the click-bait they produce.

Does job success depend on data rather than your CV? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29343425 Or companies doing ever wierder things to choose candidates.

Trying to improve childhood survival rates in Africa - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29045065

Games for doctors - how the computer games industry is turning its attention to helping doctors improve their performance - http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5642

Wasabi: Why invest in 'the hardest plant to grow'? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29082091

The father of 26 children who's helping to preach birth control - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29258844

Buddha seems to bring tranquility to Oakland neighborhood - http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/johnson/article/Buddha-seems-to-bring-tranquillity-to-Oakland-5757592.php

The NSA claimed that it was only collecting metadata—a fact we now know is false—but even metadata can tell an intimate story - http://www.scottogle.net/my-most-intimate-self-portrait.html

Science:

Plutonium: The scary element that helps probe space's secrets - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29274491

Can Memories Be Implanted and Then Removed? - http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/can-memories-implanted-removed

Terry Fox's cancer now highly curable researcher says - http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/terry-fox-s-cancer-now-highly-curable-researcher-says-1.2765316 Or science, we're working on it.

Sport:

Football:

Premier League: Chelsea and the madness of the loan game - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29280337 In short, Chelsea are up to something and whether it works or not could change how the Premier League does business (possibly turning it's business model closer to that of Italy).

Enner Valencia: West Ham striker on milking cows and Green Street - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29354623

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I grew up a cat person. I was (and to a certain extent, still am) terrified of barking dogs. And then Ben, possibly the most lovely black labrador ever, and undoubtedly one of my more favourite members of the family won me over. Now I'm probably a 50/50 split.

~~~~

The main reason I'm posting again so soon is that I've just heard that an old friend has been selected as an Olympic torch-bearer. So very happy for her.