redfiona99

Journalism:

Trump and the media - Is it war or love? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39221378 From March 2017

Miscellaneous:

An absence of peace: When is a war actually a war? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-39222619

Shunned 'unlucky' 13 sheltered houses get rebrand - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-39218565

Post-partum psychosis: Why I thought I'd killed my baby - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39205485

Cambodia's female construction workers - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39102989

Were Mysterious Caves Used by the Knights Templar Recently Discovered in Shropshire? - https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/knights-templar-caves-shropshire/ In bestest Snopes tradition, no.

The mysterious death of a live-streaming gamer - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-39232620

The wine boss who was glad to be sacked - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39153993

'LED street lights are disturbing my sleep' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38526254

Living loud in China's lively public spaces - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-china-blog-39214869

International Women’s Day - https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/comment-and-opinion/international-womens-day/5060135.article

News:

Park Geun-hye: How identity politics fuelled South Korean scandal - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39228815

Hounded and ridiculed for complaining of rape - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39204086

Hospital drug admissions for over-50s up 50%, report shows - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39220676

Politics:

Why the Russia Story Is a Minefield for Democrats and the Media - https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/why-the-russia-story-is-a-minefield-for-democrats-and-the-media-126505/

Rex Tillerson Might Be the Weakest Secretary of State Ever - https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/03/10/rex-tillerson-might-be-the-weakest-secretary-of-state-ever/ Again, March 2017. I have no idea who the US Secretary of State is this week. I'd feel bad, but I don't think Trump does either.

Science:

Can city 'smellfies' stop air pollution? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39179098

Sport:

Formula 1:

I know John Surtees is bigger than just F1.

1964 Formula One champion John Surtees dies at 83 - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/motor-racing-1964-formula-one-champion-surtees-dies-at-83_sto6087873/story.shtml

John Surtees: Former F1 world champion dies at 83 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/39235608

Television:

There was a bit of a Buffy special around Buffy's 20th anniversary

10 Best ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Episodes of All Time - https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/10-best-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-episodes-of-all-time-113273/the-body-season-5-episode-16-116024/ Not as wrong as Rolling Stone lists normally are

Buffy’s James Marsters on the hardest day of his professional life - https://tv.avclub.com/buffy-s-james-marsters-on-the-hardest-day-of-his-profes-1798258915

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: How the show influenced modern entertainment - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39229395

We should thank Buffy for today’s ‘Golden Age’ of television - http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20170303-we-should-thank-buffy-for-todays-golden-age-of-television

Technology:

How the invention of paper changed the world - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/the-reporters-38892687

Writers:

Oscar Wilde's jail key and letter on display in Malta - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39230065

Data vizualisation:

aRrgh: a newcomer’s (angry) guide to R - http://arrgh.tim-smith.us/?utm_content=buffer24a51&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Journalism:

THE REMARKABLE TALE OF ALEX VIROT, THE TRAGIC TINTIN OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2017/the-remarkable-tale-of-alex-virot-the-tragic-tintin-of-the-tour-de-france_sto6242316/story.shtml If you read only one of the links, make it this one.

Miscellaneous:

The Attorney Fighting Revenge Porn - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/05/the-attorney-fighting-revenge-porn?irgwc=1&utm_medium=27795&utm_campaign=Online%20Tracking%20Link&utm_source=IR

Tunisian Security Forces Rock the Vote - http://carnegieendowment.org/sada/index.cfm?fa=68021

Wednesbury man who 'died' 27 times praises hospital staff - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39015109

Who is trolling the Pope? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38995877

Museum removes every piece of art created by immigrants - https://edition.cnn.com/2017/02/16/us/museum-removes-art-from-immigrants-trnd/index.html And also those given the to museum by immigrants. I don't think that gets enough coverage. Because those kinds of donations make up a huge part of museum collections. For example, the New Walk gallery in Leicester has a world-class collection of Expressionist art, because there were a lot of German refugees in Leicester.

Sport:

Football:

Lincoln became the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic last-minute win over Premier League side Burnley at Turf Moor. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38940052 From last February and I don't care because magic still happens in football.

Technology:

HOW A GRAD STUDENT FOUND SPYWARE THAT COULD CONTROL ANYBODY’S IPHONE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD - https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/how-bill-marczak-spyware-can-control-the-iphone

History:

Forbidden love: The WW2 letters between two men - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38932955

Journalism:

A great opportunist story shows how PRs need to be looking further ahead -
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/great-opportunist-story-shows-how-prs-need-looking-further-kimble/

I Helped Create the Milo Trolling Playbook. You Should Stop Playing Right Into It. -
http://observer.com/2017/02/i-helped-create-the-milo-trolling-playbook-you-should-stop-playing-right-into-it/

Language:

Yes-no questions in mathematics and in Chinese - http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=30943

Miscellaneous:

Norway's seal hunters hang up their clubs - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38894821

Warren Buffett’s Best Investment - https://www.gatesnotes.com/2017-Annual-Letter

'Keep sex abuse dad's name off my wedding certificate' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38096514 There is no reason why a father's name needs to be on a wedding certificate if a mother's is not!

Anna LeBaron: How I escaped my father's murderous polygamous cult - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38526255

Polio Then and Now: The Story of a Crippling Disease on the Verge of Worldwide Eradication -
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/polio-history-story-then-and-now-pictures-iron-lung-vaccine-diseases-medicine-jonas-salk-rotary-a7580456.html

Stranger leaves free treats at Christie cancer hospital - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-38969714

Spotting the illness that can cause sudden blindness - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38983990

Politics:

Gerrymandering the Presidency: Why Trump could lose the popular vote in 2020 by 6 percent and still win a second term. - http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/2017/02/08/gerrymandering-the-presidency-why-trump-could-lose-the-popular-vote-in-2020-by-6-percent-and-still-win-a-second-term/

Clinton’s Ground Game Didn’t Cost Her The Election - https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/clintons-ground-game-didnt-cost-her-the-election/

Mr. President: ‘Just who the hell do you think you are?’ - http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article132721909.html From last February

Sport:

Belarus sports writer eats own paper after losing bet - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-39004434 Well played, sir.

Football:

Football’s gambling problem: You better, you better, you bet - http://www.football365.com/news/footballs-gambling-problem-you-better-you-better-you-bet

Pep Guardiola's Barcelona has 'damaged' the quality of defenders, says Roberto Ayala -
https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/pep-s-barcelona-damaged-football-says-former-argentina-captain-roberto-ayala_sto6059542/story.shtml I am a bitter, bitter right back and agree completely and utterly with Roberto Ayala

Super Slav gives Alf ride of his life! - http://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2017/february/15-february/super-slav-gives-alf-ride-his-life

Horse Racing:

Sandown: Amputee jockey Guy Disney takes historic victory in Royal Artillery Gold Cup -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/39008715

Rugby:

This female rugby referee is making history this weekend -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39008812/this-female-rugby-referee-is-making-history-this-weekend

Actors:

A truly fantastic Roger Moore story - http://suitep.tumblr.com/post/160997799850/if-you-need-a-lovely-story-to-make-you-feel-better

History:

A Sportscaster's Secret Mission To Save Jewish Family At The 'Nazi' Olympics -
http://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2016/12/23/ted-husing-1936-berlin-olympics

Journalism:

David Fahrenthold tells the behind-the-scenes story of his year covering Trump -
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/david-fahrenthold-tells-the-behind-the-scenes-story-of-his-year-covering-trump/2016/12/27/299047c4-b510-11e6-b8df-600bd9d38a02_story.html?utm_term=.9972e0340163

Law and Order:

People Can Be Convinced They Committed a Non-Existant Crime in Just 3 Hours -
http://www.sciencealert.com/people-can-be-convinced-they-committed-a-non-existant-crime-in-just-three-hours

Miscellaneous:

Viewpoint: Carey Mulligan's campaign to change how we view dementia - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38405698

Year in pictures 2016 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-38206839

News:

Are more African leaders ready to give up power? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38403553

Sport:

In I <3 sports fans news - Euro 2016: Irish football fans awarded Medal of City of Paris -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36661166

Football:

Motherwell's Carl McHugh feels lucky to be back in football after head injury -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38472815 Very interesting description of post-concussion syndrome

Rugby League:

Sean Long: My best ever team-mates - http://www.totalrl.com/sean-long-best-ever-team-mates/ I’d just like to focus on one comment:

STAND OFF

Tommy Martyn (St Helens)

He is the most under-rated half back I’ve played with. He never played for Great Britain. We had a great halfback partnership at St Helens.

Because when Sean Long is right, he’s very right.

Inside the Toronto Wolfpack - A look behind the scenes of the world's first transatlantic rugby league team - http://www.lasttackle.tv/

Rugby Union:

The best women's rugby sevens player on the planet? - A Portia Woodman interview -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omNdsg0CLNQ Really interesting about the Maori language and how the Ferns haka differs from the All Blacks haka.

Technology:

The garden shed full of helping hands - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38290486 Awesomeness

[Error: unknown template qotd]

Entertainment or sports. Sports for preference because all of life is there, art, politics, society.

~~~~

Help, I've had coffee for the first time in weeks, and I'm so jittery you can probably run the national grid off me. And I have to sit through a staff induction, three and a half hours of, like this. So stuffed.

I suppose I should have warned about half-naked Russian Presidents, but that reaction is what I was on about. Because after the initial reaction of what the hell, you go 'for a man of 55, he's in decent shape'.

So the why comes into play, because can you imagine any other politician trying the macho fishing routine? And get away with it?

I mean Gordon Brown has too much sense to try it, ditto Ming Campbell (who would probably be the only other one who could get away with it).

I can only imagine Tony Blair trying it, trying to charm the fish into submission, while George Dubya would find some way of looking even more foolish that usual doing it, and if David 'Call Me Dave' Cameron did it, you'd be looking over his shoulder to see the man who'd put the fly on his line for him.

My main reason of interest in the photo is the UK press's reaction to it, which was mostly to laugh, because what was the Russian President doing looking so silly, and why are the Russian public falling for it (I have no idea if they are by the way, and I don't trust the British press when they say they are).

Because apparently it does. So the question becomes why, to the journalists does it look silly?

Is it a politician outside of his normal environment, outside of his normal clothes? A comedian somewhere along the line said that a lot of comedy is the interpolation of two things that should not go together.

If that is the case, it leads to a question - what on Earth do journalists want? They complain when politicians wear suits, they complain when they don't. It's really quite unfair.