redfiona99

Economics:

Who are the poor Americans? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41930107 From 2017

Films:

Star Wars: The blockbuster made in Borehamwood - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-42267308

Miscellaneous:

Modern slavery: 'I had to eat the dog's food to survive' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-41857444

Britain on the verge: Life along the A1 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-42151512

Workers Are Falling Ill, Even Dying, After Making Kitchen Countertops - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/10/02/766028237/workers-are-falling-ill-even-dying-after-making-kitchen-countertops I thought we knew about silicosis

The 'A-Team' that hunts missing planes - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42272952

Politics:

Faith, Certainty and the Presidency of George W. Bush - https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/faith-certainty-and-the-presidency-of-george-w-bush.html From 2004

History:

Beveridge Report: How has the UK changed in the past 75 years? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42182013

Miscellaneous:

'My dad was controlling but I didn't think he could kill my mother and sister' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42270719

Central African Republic: The country where teachers have disappeared - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42279395

Auschwitz inmate's notes from hell finally revealed - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42144186

Renting in retirement: How feasible is it? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42193251

Little House on the Prairie: Still a haven for young fans - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42243149

From wigs to weave: Tales of a drag queen's hair -https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/from_wigs_to_weave

Politics:

The six tribes that could shape Europe's future - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42108806

Lifespans of the Presidents of the United States (Chronological Order) - https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/7ioatb/lifespans_of_the_presidents_of_the_united_states/

Sport:

Inside the scandal-hit world of Japan's sumo wrestlers - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42178483

Cricket:

Jonny Bairstow: England wicketkeeper receives father's gloves held by fan for 39 years - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/42240907

Football:

Benevento: Bottom of Serie A but now the most talked about team in Italy - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42256896

Rugby League:

How the Women's Rugby League World Cup final can inspire a generation and spur national game - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/30/womens-rugby-league-world-cup-final-provides-a-spur-to-form-national-league-and-interest From 2017, but it sort of worked

Valentine Holmes overcomes adversity to capitalise on natural ability - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/30/valentine-holmes-overcomes-adversity-to-capitalise-on-natural-ability

Snooker:

UK Snooker Championship 2017: Mark King embraces new Kojak nickname - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/42264187

Tennis:

New Statue At U.S. Open Honors African American Tennis Pioneer Althea Gibson - https://www.npr.org/2019/08/26/754562253/new-statue-at-u-s-open-honors-african-american-tennis-pioneer-althea-gibson

TW: Politics

I will spend the second quarterfinal writing about politics.

Election Build Up

There wasn't actually much of it. Partly because it was a snap election (and I think this and Macron suggest they are not a good idea for the incumbent) so no one had time to set anything up and partly because one major party is so disliked they had to hide who they are and the other one were operating on a silent running / don't fuck this up policy.

I got a total of three leaflets/letters, one for the local green/black/white/red Independent, one for Labour (the letter) and one from the Conservatives that was so heavily disguised that I thought it was a Lib Dem one. (Yellow and very dark blue are not Tory colours)

Not entirely surprised that the Lib Dems skipped us, because limited resources and the seat I'm in being very much graduands of the generation stuffed over by Nick Clegg.

I did like what Ed Davey did because he's right, being sensible was going to get them no coverage, and he used the silliness to attract attention to important issues.

If we weren't a First Past The Post system, I would definitely have voted Lib Dem (even if I haven't forgiven them for the Student Loan thing).

Unfortunately we are in an FPTP system so I voted Labour, partly because I do like my local MP (not as much as the previous but ... you know) and partly because I felt the need to make sure an adult was in charge, and I am very worried about Quiet Tories (and Reform).

Pretty much every seat I have ever spent time in was Red Rump Labour so were all Labour holds.

The one exception was Leicester West which has always been a swing seat. Not surprised it went to one of the green/white/red/black independents. (And very happy to see Steve Score standing in Leicester South)

I do have some fun tales of Birmingham Ladywood, which similarly, always had the chance to got Independent because of demographics. It got to the point where the Labour candidate brought out the relatives. Colleague's family is from the same village in Pakistan and there was full blown "uncle of candidate appears bearing tales of 'I knew your father when he was knee high to a grasshopper".

(I have my own theory about why Jess Philips was targeted and it has a lot to do with her being a mouthy woman and therefore people gunning for her).

Election Result

I have to admit to a soft-spot for Kier Starmer. He's a Social Democrat in a country with no Social Democrat party. I don't always agree with his policy choices, but at least he's an adult. And I want a grown up in charge (like seriously, look at his ministerial choices, we have competent adults again).

I also admire him for being the only one willing to put his head over the parapet and take the leadership after Corbyn, knowing that he'd get hell for it. And everyone else (looking at you so damn much Andy Burnham) was willing to let him take that, and then planned to ride to the rescue when everything fell apart.

Somehow it didn't, because I suspect I am not alone in my desire for an adult to be in charge, so now we've got someone in charge who probably never really wanted to be Prime Minister (and personal belief, while I think would have been excellent at any of the other high ministries of state, is going to be a peculiarly awkward prime minister) and wound up there by accident.

It'll be an interesting few years I suspect.

Dinosaurs (and related reptiles)

Fossilised eggs shed light on reign of pterosaurs - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42177532 Before someone points out pterosaurs aren't dinosaurs ;)

Food and drink:

Nigeria's love affair with a Norwegian fish - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42137476

The avocado police protecting Mexico's green gold - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-41635008

History:

Medieval people bathed - https://boingboing.net/2019/08/04/old-stank-overrated.html

Miscellaneous:

The Indian man who changed his name to Regret - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-42091967 A much happier story than it sounds.

Politics:

What a complete cock-up the Tories have made of Brexit - https://reaction.life/complete-cock-tories-made-brexit From 2017

Social mobility: The worst places to grow up poor - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-42112436 From 2017, still true. Not helped by local government funding being slashed.

Science:

What Bikini Atoll Looks Like Today - https://medium.com/stanford-magazine/stanford-research-on-effects-of-radioactivity-from-bikini-atoll-nuclear-tests-on-coral-and-crab-dna-48459144020c

Space:

RemoveDebris: Space junk mission prepares for launch - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41973646

Sport:

Football:

FA Cup: AFC Fylde looking to cause shock against Wigan - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41926607 From 2017. Sadly they did not, but they did take them to a replay. (Article is actually more about their 15 year plan)

Ethnic minority coaches still face 'barriers' in English football - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42178440 Article from 2017. Still true. I think the EFL are still at the "deciding to introduce a Rooney rule equivalent".

Chapecoense plane crash: How the club is still defying the odds one year on - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42137506 From 2017

FIFA unveils Lev Yashin-themed poster for Russia's 2018 World Cup - https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/fifa-unveils-yashin-themed-poster-for-russia-s-2018-world-cup_sto6425512/story.shtml From 2017, let's be honest, the best thing about the 2018 World Cup was the rash of articles about Lev Yashin. Goalies need more love.

Brighton v Crystal Palace may be the weirdest rivalry in football - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-42151102

Football Manager at 25: From Tonton Zola Moukoko to Premier League club tool - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41966203

Law and order:

'I asked to go to jail, rather than stay homeless' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42057173

Miscellaneous:

Girl's lost teddy flown 200 miles home to Orkney from Edinburgh - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42094340

Life on London's first Aids ward - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-41930950

Politics:

Reports of the death of German stability are greatly exaggerated - https://www.economist.com/kaffeeklatsch/2017/11/21/reports-of-the-death-of-german-stability-are-greatly-exaggerated From 2017, but most of it is still solid. I read enough German to always be *intrigued* by how the English-speaking press reports German politics.

Science:

Galapagos finches caught in act of becoming new species - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42103058

Why I injected myself with an untested gene therapy - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41990981 From 2017, I'd love a follow up. As a scientist, biohackers freak me out.

Sport:
Cricket:

Hashim Amla retires from international cricket - https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/hashim-amla-retires-from-international-cricket-1196991 From 2019

Football:

Victor Moses - the asylum-seeking orphan who conquered the Premier League - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42060348

Golf:

An inch shorter and 27 operations later, golfer Marc Cayeux's comeback continues - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/41996122 In injuries which make mine seem piddling.

Snooker:
NEIL ROBERTSON: '128-PLAYER EVENTS ARE LIKE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, YOU MUST CRAWL THROUGH CRAP' - https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/northern-ireland-open/2017-2018/neil-robertson-128-player-events-are-snooker-s-shawshank-redemption-you-must-crawl-through-crap_sto6418475/story.shtml Robertson, and several other of the good players, were excessive whingepots on this topic.

Guess what I've been doing with my time

Actors:

Obituary: Rodney Bewes - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33181740

Law and Order:

Drug-driving cases dropped over forensics - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42067094 As always cost-cutting is at the root of the problem, alongside the Tory urge to privatise everything. [Conflict of Interest warning - I knew people who were made redundant when the Forensic Service was privatised]

Miscellaneous:

100 Women: How the 'urinary leash' keeps women at home - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-41999792 I have what I call 'a trick bladder' and what at least one friend refers to as 'a tiny hamster bladder' so yes, I tend to get anxious when I don't know where the nearest toilet is. It has always struck me that men have it easier because they can just pee in alleyways.

Rape and no periods in North Korea's army - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-41778470

Musicians:

Eurythmics discuss Rock Hall of Fame and going 'into hiding' in the 80s - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42051131

Politics

How UK lost International Court of Justice place to India - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42063664 From 2017

Space:

50 Years After Apollo 11, Here's What (And How) Astronauts Are Eating - https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/07/21/743549993/50-years-after-apollo-11-heres-what-and-how-astronauts-are-eating

Sport:

British Virgin Islands: How territory's sports are recovering after Hurricane Irma - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/41846602 Obviously, the sports pages are going to look at stuff from a sports angle, but it does produce some interesting insights.

Rowing:

MOMENTS THAT HELPED DEFINE ROWING – FISA 125TH - https://worldrowing.com/2017/11/17/moments-that-helped-define-rowing-fisa-125th/

Tennis:

Jana Novotna: Former Wimbledon champion dies at age of 49 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42049507

Technology

Money changing: Everything we knew about money is up for grabs. So will we end up smiling? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/The_disruptors_money_changing

Art:

When Lady Chatterley joined Tinder - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41995722 Although this could have gone under literature or technology. Also, excellent choice of photo there, BBC

Education:

The Oxford University college fighting elitism - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-41829685

Healthcare:

Do You Need That Surgery? How To Decide, And How To Pick A Surgeon If You Do - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/07/19/743248074/do-you-need-that-surgery-how-to-decide-and-how-to-pick-a-surgeon-if-you-do Article is US-based but interesting for everyone, I think.

Law and order:

Tax disc: Car tax evasion triples after paper version scrapped - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42009111 I’m not saying this always happens when a poorly-thought out electronic conversion happens but …

Miscellaneous:

Dog ownership lowers early death risk, study finds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42009932

Justice Ginsburg: 'I Am Very Much Alive' - https://www.npr.org/2019/07/24/744633713/justice-ginsburg-i-am-very-much-alive From 2019

Miss Iraq and Miss Israel selfie strikes a nerve - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-42009879 From 2017

Returning to Kashmir, where our parents were shot in front of us - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-41996612

WW2 Spitfire pilot Joy Lofthouse dies aged 94 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-42012740

Why Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter rivals - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42008809

The deadly problem with US college fraternities - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42014128

Indonesia's Orang Rimba: Forced to renounce their faith - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41981430

What now for Bosnia victims as Hague tribunal closes? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41918411

Politics:

Britain got its way in the EU when it mattered – I know, I was there - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/16/britain-got-its-way-eu-brexiteers

Sport:

Football:

Kenny Dalglish on Liverpool - the club, the fans, the city, and Hillsborough - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42009989 Even if you're not into football, this one's worth reading

Horse racing:

Bryony Frost: Why victory at Wincanton could be her breakthrough moment - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/42004010

Rugby League:

England v Papua New Guinea: PNG - the country where rugby league is a religion - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/42011291 One day, PNG will get an NRL franchise, and then, then the national team will hit the heights it deserves to.

Technology:

Young drivers: The technologies that cut insurance bills - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42025295

Archaeology:

'Big void' identified in Khufu's Great Pyramid at Giza - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41845445 From 2017

Economics:

The island that swapped donkey rides for offshore cash - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41891360

Paradise Papers: The professionals' responsibility - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41902798

Education:

Free courses from Harvard - https://www.edx.org/school/harvardx

Free courses from MIT - https://ocw.mit.edu/search/#cat=engineering&subcat=nuclearengineering&spec=nuclearsystemspolicyandeconomics

Free courses from Yale - https://oyc.yale.edu/courses

Food:

Stinking Rich? Malaysia Aims To Cash In On China's Durian Craze - https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/06/02/728262024/stinking-rich-malaysia-aims-to-cash-in-on-chinas-durian-craze I have no doubt they are delicious, but the smell is literally the smell of a gas leak, which is off-putting if you've ever worked in a lab.

Healthcare:

NHS appeal for black blood donors 'drops straight knowledge' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-41898726

History:

In the shadow of Red October - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Red_October

Housing:

The families living in modern day slums - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41776369 From 2017, it has not improved

Law and order:

Stop-and-search: A BBC reporter's own experience - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41849256

Media:

Why George Orwell is returning to the BBC - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41886208 From 2017, about a new statue

Miscellaneous:

The hospital helping heal the Middle East - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-41886227

Former 'Teen Vogue' Editor Shares Her Memoir — And Her Manifesto - https://www.npr.org/2019/06/11/731380634/former-teen-vogue-editor-shares-her-memoir-and-her-manifesto

Politics:

Trump Xi: Property man meets career communist - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-41882084 - From 2017

Sport:

Cricket:

Ashes: Inside story of England's 5-0 defeat in Australia in 2013-14 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41859201https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/41859201

Football:

Andrea Pirlo: The football genius who defied the number crunchers - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41903596 If you like the tiny snippet they give you of his autobiography, the whole thing is like that. He (and his ghostwriter, and the translator) writes like he played.

Rugby League:

Micky Higham: Ex-Great Britain hooker retires to take up Leigh off-field role - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41887188 From 2017. In St. Helens at least, he'll always be under-rated because he was only very, very good, and the two hookers either side of him chronologically are 'the player voted the best Saint ever' and 'the only player ever likely to be voted above him'.

Technology:

'Do I Know You?' And Other Spam Phone Calls We Can't Get Rid Of - https://www.npr.org/2019/06/06/727711432/do-i-know-you-and-other-spam-phone-calls-we-can-t-get-rid-of

History:

JFK assassination: Questions that won't go away - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41741216 From 2017

Law and order:

'My ex told everyone I had HIV' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41739416 Ignore the title, it's actually about stalking laws.

Politics:

Canvey Island: Residents on why they want independence - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41691003 Also from 2017

Sport:

Football:

Kevin De Bruyne: the stubborn boy who developed into a world beater - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/20/kevin-de-bruyne-stubborn--world-beater

Rugby League:

Rugby League World Cup 2017: How it works, who will win and trendy Tonga - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41405144 Posting this ... just in time for the delayed 2021 edition

Food and drink:

The winemaker who battles temperatures as low as -25C - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41167977

History:

Christian Cole: Oxford University's first black student - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-40429917

Photos from 1970s show life in Manchester's Moss Side - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-41361171

Law and order:

'How I got my children back' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41633731

The big cases Crimewatch helped solve - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41649334

Should children be heard in English family court cases? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41603236

Miscellaneous:

100 Women: The Pakistani women shamed for their lifestyle - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-41582898

China congress: How authorities censor your thoughts - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-41523073 From 2017

Politics:

Kurz and charisma: What propels young leaders to power? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41640326 From 2017 - One day I will understand what it is about Kurz that drove the BBC wild. He has the charisma of a week-old halibut, and yes, he's young, but his policies aren't fresh.

Technology:

How toxic is your car exhaust? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/how_toxic_is_your_car_exhaust

Economics:

Where are all the women in economics? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41571333

History:

YIVO ANNOUNCES DISCOVERY OF 170,000 LOST JEWISH DOCUMENTS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED DURING THE HOLOCAUST - https://vilnacollections.yivo.org/Discovery-Press-Release

Why did Vikings have 'Allah' embroidered into funeral clothes? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41567391 I do think there may be a certain overstating of results in the traditional university press release sense

Benjamin Franklin's Son Died of Smallpox. His Notes on Vaccines Matter Now More Than Ever - https://www.mic.com/articles/109892/benjamin-franklin-s-son-died-of-smallpox-his-notes-on-vaccines-matter-now-more-than-ever?utm_source=policymicTBLR&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=social Article from 2015. Truth, eternal

'Extraordinary' 500-year-old library catalogue reveals books lost to time - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/10/extraordinary-500-year-old-library-catalogue-reveals-books-lost-to-time-libro-de-los-epitomes

Miscellaneous:

The UK city where sex work is banned, but hasn't stopped - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41533411

About 10,000 people die each year because bystanders do not know how to do CPR if they see someone in cardiac arrest, the British Heart Foundation says. One woman says she owes her life to people who acted quickly when she collapsed. - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41569398 Actually interesting article about how to learn CPR, if we ignore the melodramatic tendencies of the BBC headline subeditors

Cheating death and drawing identity: Twenty years of art at Bethlem Hospital - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-41109442

Why is it so difficult to count dead people? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-41038987

Why is Friday 13th considered bad luck? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41012571

Apprenticeships: 'It's the money that puts people off' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/41599034

Photography:

In pictures: Association of Photographers Awards 2017 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-41567582

Politics:

The thoughts of Chairman Xi - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Thoughts_Chairman_Xi Article from 2017

Sport:
Football:

Two posts from the build up to the first round of the 2017 FA Cup

FA Cup: TV commentator Martin Tyler eyeing first round with Hampton & Richmond - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41530544

FA Cup: Truro City aim to become first Cornish team in round one since 1969 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41580484

Truro were successful, beating Hampton & Richmond

Also from 2017

Hertha Berlin players 'take a knee' before match against Schalke - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41623019 Hertha tend to be good eggs

Rugby League:

Chester Butler: 'No-one believed my grandad was Colin Dixon' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41592230

Rugby Union:

The story of rugby's injury crisis from the players, a coach and a doctor - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41544641

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1309383.html

Economics:

Richard Thaler and the economics of how we live - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41550434

Law and order:

Kafka in Vegas: Fred Steese served more than 20 years in prison for the murder of a Vegas showman even though evidence in the prosecution’s files proved he didn’t do it. But when the truth came to light, he was offered a confounding deal known as an Alford plea. If he took it he could go free, but he’d remain a convicted killer. - https://www.propublica.org/article/alford-pleas-fred-steese-conviction-without-admitting-guilt

Miscellaneous:

Stalking: Not just an EastEnders story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41524520

Helen Richardson-Walsh: GB hockey player talks about depression - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/hockey/41550578

I was an idiot, says excluded boy looking back - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-41529262

Data is not the new oil - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41559076

Politics:

What Are the Meanings Behind the Worldwide Rise in Protest? - https://carnegieeurope.eu/2017/10/02/what-are-meanings-behind-worldwide-rise-in-protest-pub-73276

Sport:

Concussion linked to mental health problems for ex-sportsmen by Fifpro study - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41557287

Football:

Premier League: Clubs 'risk bankruptcy' with promotion - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41564471

Rugby union:

Ian McKinley: Fly-half named in Italy squad after losing sight in 2012 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41572839

Technology:

From fluffy pillows to concrete: The uses of captured CO2 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41550446 Article from 2017 but suddenly useful again.

How the search for a 'death ray' led to radar - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41188464

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1298110.html

Dance:

How Mel Brooks' lady of dance made it in a man's world - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41500486

Healthcare:

FDA Approves Esketamine Nasal Spray For Hard-To-Treat Depression - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/05/700509903/fda-clears-esketamine-nasal-spray-for-hard-to-treat-depression

Tampons: That Bloody Sales Tax - https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2019/03/06/700876425/tampons-that-bloody-sales-tax

Miscellaneous:

The Viking therapy club: Where men fight their demons - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/viking_club_where_men_fight_their_demons I know a couple of Viking reenactors, and while thoroughly peculiar (see also, they are my friends), they are a good bunch. (I also know English Civil War reenactors - they end up missing teeth)

Ernesto Guevara: How my father inspired my Cuban motorcycle tours - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-41510650

Black Nova Scotians may finally get title to their land - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41488953

Politics:

Baroness Trumpington: Lords stalwart to retire at 95 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41550627 Article from 2017

Sport:

Rugby league:

Belinda Sleeman to be first female match official at Rugby League World Cup - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41549958 Article from 2017

Toronto Wolfpack owner Eric Perez plans to launch two more American sides - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/41544831 Article from 2017, and can be put under 'pipe dreams that never happened'. I think that's what annoys me about all the people saying 'everyone was so mean to Toronto'. They couldn't put players out for a full season, and their allegedly loads-a-money chairman couldn't fund the club for 18 months.

Technology:

THE COMING SOFTWARE APOCALYPSE: A small group of programmers wants to change how we code—before catastrophe strikes. - https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/09/saving-the-world-from-code/540393/

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1296907.html

Miscellaneous:

Scam baiter: Why I risk death threats to expose online cons - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-41518352

Ethnic minority graduates 'face jobs gap' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41536312 From 2017

Jessikka Aro: How pro-Russian trolls tried to destroy me - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-41499789

Female driving ban: Why did this selfie enrage some Saudis? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-41527490

Politics:

How ready is the UK for Brexit?: 9% - https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2017/10/05/how-ready-is-the-uk-for-brexit-9 Article is from 2017. I'm not sure how much better it is now.

Technology:

Is drive-by sex toy hacking a wake-up call for Britain’s internet security? - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/06/drive-by-sex-toy-hacking-wake-up-call-britain-internet-security-vibrators Article is from 2017, but I remain terrified by the Internet of Things phenomenon.

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1293816.html

News:

The 21st floor - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Grenfell_21st_floor About Grenfell Tower

Politics:

German election: The Panic Orchestra - https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2017-09/german-election-campaign-2017 About the 2017 German election, but an amazing amount of it applies to UK politics also.

Sport:

Formula 1:

F1 TEAMS FEAR DATA LEAK AFTER OFFICIAL QUITS - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/f1-teams-fear-data-leak-after-official-quits_sto6350347/story.shtml From 2017 - I don't know where he ended up but it's amusing seeing the teams sweat.

Malaysian Grand Prix: What can you do with an old F1 track? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/41426889

PLANS REVEALED FOR 2020 DANISH GP PROPOSAL - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/plans-revealed-for-2020-danish-gp-proposal_sto6347915/story.shtml There are always plans. 99 out of 100 times, they come to nothing.

NEW FORMULA 1 PLAN EYES LEICESTER CITY-LIKE SHOCKS - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/new-formula-1-plan-eyes-leicester-city-like-shocks_sto6347961/story.shtml Article from 2017, but the changes are only just coming in. Only part of the delay is due to COVID.

Winter Olympics:

NORTH KOREA QUALIFIES FIRST ATHLETES FOR PYEONGCHANG 2018 - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/figure-skating/north-korea-qualifies-first-athletes-for-pyeongchang-2018_sto6350194/story.shtml

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1290982.html

TW: Calories, weight, that general sort of thing

So summer 2019, the government decided to do something about the "obesity crisis". Of course, they didn't do anything useful like increasing the accessibility of sports facilities or anything, no, instead they put out posters describing how the recommended daily allowance of calories should be split out between breakfast, midday meal and evening meal.

And, as usual, if I ate as much as the government recommended, I would gain weight, despite already being nearly 2 stone overweight. Because that's the problem with RDAs, they are so general that they suit almost no-one.

In my case, I am short enough that my maintenance calories are below the RDA, even as heavy as I am. And I am by no means the shortest person in Birmingham (or anywhere else) so I'm not the only person who would become less healthy by following the government's health advice. This is why its so stupid to use calories as a way of giving public health information (and I speak as someone who is big on the "calories in, calories out" principle on account of, you know, science*). Much though I am not a "veggie, veggie yay" person, those campaigns at least made sense. Everyone could do with more veggies. This calorie information, even for people who its not wrong for, is borderline un-actionable, and mostly is going to make people who already struggle with stuff struggle more, whether that stuff be eating disorders or overweight-guilt.

* Exercise might not be able to out-work a terrible diet, but it can definitely function against a mediocre one ;)

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1287964.html

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

Economics:

Is the UK reaching coffee shop saturation point? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41251451 From 2017

Are rented micro-homes the future for young singles? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41229775 I cannot shout 'no' loudly enough. The UK already produces stupidly small homes, do not encourage property developers to go even smaller.

Food:

The problem for the world’s most expensive spice - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41110151 Although this could go in the economics or politics section too. And I have an unfair advantage, I have many Iranian friends so I am aware that Iranian saffron is the best.

Miscellaneous:

Starting from scratch in Uganda - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-41255233

Photography:

Pictures: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 finalists - https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/41239953

Politics:

Tiger fur-lined robes... what do Saudi gifts to Trump mean? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41168257 From 2017

Sport:

Football:

Megan Rapinoe & Alex Morgan: World Cup winners join Juan Mata's campaign - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41270796 From 2017

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1279980.html

Language:

How to pronounce the players' names correctly - https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0242-0e97b627e8a6-4e479829acda-1000--how-to-pronounce-the-players-names-correctly Bless UEFA for trying.

Photography:

Cafe Culture: Meet the regulars - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-41244294 This could be under culture too because they're portraits of a very particular situation, but you can almost smell the cafe. Article is from 2017, but you know that feeling when you hope they've been okay during COVID because it's the kind of situation that might not be. I know I went to one my tiny locals yesterday and they had a queue both sides of the arcade of people wanting to make sure they were alright.

Politics:

Angela Merkel's quiet power - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/angela_merkel

Sport:
Football:

Patrick Cryne: Terminally ill Barnsley owner 'on borrowed time' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41249300

Rugby Union:

Karl Dickson: Top referees aerobically fitter than players, says ex-scrum-half - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41240627

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1278955.html

Archaeology:

New mummies discovered in tomb near Luxor, Egypt - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41213024 From 2017

Culture:

The Indian women eating with their families for the first time - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-41148492

Film:

Penny Marshall, co-star of 'Laverne & Shirley' and director of 'A League of Their Own,' dead at 75 - https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/18/entertainment/penny-marshall-dead/index.html

History:

The Importance of Using Caution When Interpreting Personal Recollections of Historic Events - https://pastexplore.wordpress.com/2017/09/07/the-importance-of-using-caution-when-interpreting-personal-recollections-of-historic-events/

Language:

Even Racists Got the Blues - Most of the time, I feel a little bit sorry for people who make horrendous translation mistakes. This is not one of those times. - https://thegeekygaeilgeoir.wordpress.com/2017/09/06/even-racists-got-the-blues/ Or, all those 'gaelic' Blue Lives Matters phrases, they were really grud-awful Gaelic.

Law and order:

Locked up for life for crimes they didn't commit - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41108765

Miscellaneous:

That’s a classic: Trinity publishes 50 favourite classical one-liners - https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/that-s-a-classic-trinity-publishes-50-favourite-classical-one-liners-1.3205032 Classical here meaning the degree, rather than the excellence of Ken Dodd.

The young paedophiles who say they don’t abuse children - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41213657

The man who’s rescued 1500 people from the River Clyde - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/yZnmvkqslWTFpW8LgLQqRK/the-man-who-s-rescued-1500-people-from-the-river-clyde

Identity Theft, Credit Reports, and You - https://www.kalzumeus.com/2017/09/09/identity-theft-credit-reports/ Most of it is good advice for dealing with all sorts of official commercial nastiness. The only time someone has tried anything was Virgin Media, which I knocked on the head with 'your colleague, Tony, on date x said I didn't have to return the box'. Write down everything.

Music:

Last Night of the Proms ends with rallying cry for classical music - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41216508 From 2017

19 remarkable moments from the 2017 BBC Proms - https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/9c6ff0b8-d0c3-487c-a72a-dc7f861877c9 In the UK at least, there are links to long videos/recordings of the moments they mention.

Politics:

Is the Electoral College Doomed? - https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/09/05/electoral-college-national-popular-vote-compact-215541/ From 2017

Sport:

Cycling:

Chris Froome wins Vuelta: 'A friendly accountant off the bike, a cold-eyed winner on it' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/41215172 From 2017

Football:
Lorraine Watson becomes first female referee in Scottish men's football - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41214982 From 2017

Belgian Clubs and Foreign Money: A Modern Soccer Mix - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/09/sports/soccer/belgian-clubs-and-foreign-money-a-modern-soccer-mix.html

Tennis:

US Open 2017: Sloane Stephens - from world number 957 to Grand Slam winner - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/41216430

Crossposts: https://redfiona99.livejournal.com/1276717.html

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In which, in 2019, I disagreed with the government

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