redfiona99

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

Adverts:

Kendall Jenner Pepsi Commercial: How the "Worst Ad Ever" Came to Be - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pepsi-ad-how-why-was-made-991617

Business:

How a razor revolutionised the way we pay for stuff - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39132802

Food and Drink:

Quebec's maple syrup producers seeking global domination - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39375257

Law and Order:

The Uruguayan prison where inmates set up shop - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39145551

The Americans volunteering to watch executions - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39535957

Miscellaneous:

One family's life in the wilderness - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-39418054

Belfast hotel warns Irish dancing guests against practising in elevator - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39544605

EDL Birmingham protest photo woman 'surprised' by viral reaction - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39545256

His name was Henry Summers - but who was he? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39429128

African migrants sold in Libya 'slave markets', IOM says - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39567632

'Blood contamination tore my family apart' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39516344

New fiver is not so indestructible - if you know how - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39551613 According to Rob the tea-man, a simple washing machine will do the trick.

Politics:

Could private investors fund a new wave of hospitals? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39557279 Because it went so well last time!

Brexit: Economists Will Have The Last Word - https://medium.com/@vincentcable/brexit-economists-will-have-the-last-word-43a1c6f4d496

Jacob Rees-Mogg’s hashtag is hijacked by LGBT tweeters - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/ce6853ab-453a-4ac2-8bef-c41c5b15dc04 Not in front of my salad goes mainstream

Will London fall? - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/04/11/world/europe/uk-london-brexit.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

'Disastrous response made things worse': UK PR experts lay into United Airlines and its precarious CEO - https://www.prweek.com/article/1430230/disastrous-response-made-things-worse-uk-pr-experts-lay-united-airlines-its-precarious-ceo

Sport:

Anne Dickins: Rio Paralympics canoeing champion hopes to have inspired others - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/get-inspired/39556564

Football:

Claudio Ranieri: Former Leicester City boss thinks he may have been pushed out - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39558439 In which Claudio Ranieri is once again love.

Golf:

Masters 2017: Is Sergio Garcia winning at Augusta the perfect sporting story? -https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39553279 I don't even like golf but this made me so, so happy.

Horse racing:

Grand National 2017: Aintree boss pleased with course safety - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/39545411

One For Arthur wins the Grand National for Scotland, injured jockeys and 'golf widows' - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/39541910 From 2017

Ice hockey:

Manon Rheaume, NHL's first female goalie, continues to inspire - https://www.si.com/nhl/2016/06/27/manon-rheaume-where-are-they-now?xid=si_social

Snooker:

Reanne Evans' World Championship bid over after defeat by Lee Walker -https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/39546825 From the 2017 World Championships

Miscellaneous:

'RuPaul's Drag Race' Winner Sasha Velour Cut From A Different Fabric -
https://www.npr.org/2017/06/25/534313492/rupauls-drag-race-winner-sasha-velour-cut-from-a-different-fabric?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170627

Is it easier to get a job if you're Adam or Mohamed? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38751307

Traditional retail markets and the battle to stay afloat - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-38768838

Are John Tyler's Grandchildren Still Alive? - https://www.snopes.com/history/american/tylergrandsons.asp

News:

Crossing the border - These photographs of the Mexico-US border - and the migrant workers trying to cross it - were taken in October 2016. They're the work of Italian photographer Alessandro Grassani. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-3a67db15-0018-40ad-97d3-51cd3b920487

Politics:

Local voting figures shed new light on EU referendum - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38762034

Science Fiction

Watch The Doctor Regenerate Through Space and Time in This Charming Fan Animation -
https://www.tor.com/2017/02/06/doctor-who-fan-animation-running-through-time-and-space/

Sport:

Cricket:

Heather Knight column: Women's Big Bash League, Taylor Swift and the oldest living Test cricketer -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/38838533

Snooker:

VIDEO - 'Dreams are made of this!' - Emotional Anthony Hamilton interview after German Masters win -
https://video.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/dreams-are-made-of-this-emotional-anthony-hamilton-interview-after-german-masters-win_vid957951/video.shtml I don't care that this now more than a year old, I am saving this and keeping it forever. Also, that's some damn fine translating by the MC.

Anthony Hamilton lifts German Masters to win first ranking event - https://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/german-masters/2016-2017/anthony-hamilton-lifts-german-masters-to-win-first-ranking-event_sto6049844/story.shtml

Technology:

High security: The man who protects our bank accounts - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38800176

Economics:

“Side Hustle” as a Sign of the Apocalypse - Uber and Seamless ads reveal how Silicon Valley is screwing us - https://medium.com/sandpapersuit/side-hustle-as-a-sign-of-the-apocalypse-e7027a889fc2 I have been saying this about "disruptive technologies" for years.

Health:

Signs of breast cancer explained, using lemons - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38609625 This is clever. And useful.

History:

Decoder: The Slave Insurance Market - How much did slave owners pay for antebellum-era policies from Aetna, AIG, and New York Life? - http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/01/16/decoder-slave-insurance-market-aetna-aig-new-york-life/

Who was second-longest serving US president? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38634235

Miscellaneous:

Coffee shops on the march as pubs decline, town centre data shows - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38609692 This interests me. I was in Stoke with D and R and I noticed that as we were walking round there was a dearth of pubs. The area we were walking round was heavily Pakistani (guessing from the amount of signs in Urdu), so it makes sense, and I'm wondering if it's the same deal in the rest of the country.

Amputated foot gets its own Instagram account - http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38621920/amputated-foot-gets-its-own-instagram-account

The Year of Conquering Negative Thinking - https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/03/well/mind/the-year-of-conquering-negative-thinking.html?_r=0

‘James Bond of Philanthropy’ Gives Away the Last of His Fortune -
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/nyregion/james-bond-of-philanthropy-gives-away-the-last-of-his-fortune.html?_r=0

How to Sleep - Should you drink more coffee? Should you take melatonin? Can you train yourself to need less sleep? A physician’s guide to sleep in a stressful age. -
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/01/how-to-sleep/508781/

Science:

Rewriting the Code of Life - Through DNA editing, researchers hope to alter the genetic destiny of species and eliminate diseases.- https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/02/rewriting-the-code-of-life

The Hermit Who Inadvertently Shaped Climate-Change Science -
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/01/billy-barr-climate-change/512198/

Sport:

Football:

Disabled access: Premier League clubs may face sanctions over lack of improvement -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38630964

Formula 1:

FIA simulated Fernando Alonso crash with halo - http://www.eurosport.co.uk/formula-1/fia-simulated-alonso-crash-with-halo_sto6015334/story.shtml

Snooker:

Marco Fu interview: 'It is heartbreaking and embarrassing that snooker can’t fund 128 players’ -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/the-masters/2016-2017/marco-fu-interview-it-is-heartbreaking-and-embarrassing-that-snooker-cant-fund-128-players_sto6016215/story.shtml

Swimming:

Fran Halsall: Three-time Olympian retires after 10-year international career -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/swimming/38636644

Tennis:

Angelique Kerber an inspiration for WTA's frustrated bridesmaids -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/australian-open-women/2017/kerber-an-inspiration-for-wta-s-frustrated-bridesmaids_sto6011892/story.shtml

Technology:

Why do lithium batteries explode? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37255127

Law and Order:

When a system upgrade gets you arrested - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38153992

THE REAL SPECTRE - https://www.1843magazine.com/features/the-real-spectre

Miscellaneous:

Korean grandfather's long-distance Instagram story-telling - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-38153553

Barbados at 50: Home of Rihanna, cricket and coucou - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37078244 Bajan friend is ridiculously proud of Rihanna. And the cricketers. Sometimes. Not as often as he'd like to be.

New five pound note: Not suitable for vegetarians - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38144598 and Hindus urged not to donate new fivers at Leicester temple - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-38156650

The thing that gets me about this is that the government doesn't seem to get the number of people that don't use animal fats, for a variety of reasons. How no-one in the decision-making process didn't go "wait a minute!" is beyond me.

Ben Carter's Tommee Tippee cup search 'incredible' success - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-38141319

On The Navajo Nation, Special Ed Students Await Water That Doesn't Stink -
http://www.npr.org/2017/04/12/523303559/on-the-navajo-nation-special-ed-students-await-water-thats-doesnt-stink?utm_source=tumblr.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170413

Time's "The Most Influential Images of All Time" - http://100photos.time.com/

Politics:

Hong Kong's rebellious lawmaker Yau Wai-ching - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-38129773

YOUR FILTER BUBBLE IS DESTROYING DEMOCRACY - https://www.wired.com/2016/11/filter-bubble-destroying-democracy/

How to Talk to Someone You Hate - https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/gqymzx/how-to-talk-to-someone-you-hate

Science:

The many ways lasers help us see the world more clearly - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38130375

Her Code Got Humans on the Moon—And Invented Software Itself - https://www.wired.com/2015/10/margaret-hamilton-nasa-apollo/

Sport:

Serena Williams pens open letter: Dream big with steadfast resilience -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/serena-williams-pens-open-letter-dream-big-with-steadfast-resilience_sto5965399/story.shtml From 2016

The other lives of England's netball team - as they fit work around practice -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/38136075/the-other-lives-of-englands-netball-team---as-they-fit-work-around-practice

Cricket:

Phillip Hughes' death: Have attitudes to the bouncer changed? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/37883388

Football:

It’s not the Ronald Koeman derby, Southampton v Everton is a clash of contrasting ideas -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2016-2017/its-not-the-ronald-koeman-derby-everton-v-southampton-is-a-clash-of-contrasting-ideas_sto5960789/story.shtml

Snooker:

UK Championship 2016: Mark King talks about gambling addiction and recovery - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/38097569

Television:

30 Years Later, 'The Simpsons' Are A Part Of The American Family - http://www.npr.org/2017/04/19/524542090/30-years-later-the-simpsons-are-a-part-of-the-american-family?utm_source=tumblr.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170419

History:

A United Kingdom: The interracial marriage that made front page news -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37368941

The man stuffed and displayed like a wild animal - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37344210

Miscellaneous:

Jackie Chan Hasn't Seen His Original Stunt Team In Decades. Then Realizes They're All Standing Behind Him -
http://www.sunnyskyz.com/happy-videos/5652/Jackie-Chan-Hasn-t-Seen-His-Original-Stunt-Team-In-Decades-Then-Realizes-They-re-All-Standing-Behind-Him#ugifL6ClkjGbLl85.99

Why is the US 'tampon tax' so hated? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37365286 Ever get the feeling the headline was written by a man? There is trying to remain impartial and then there's this.

World's oldest man, Yisrael Kristal, 113, to hold bar mitzvah - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37375629

Music:

These are the last 10 tracks Carl Cox played at his Space residency in Ibiza -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37417532/these-are-the-last-10-tracks-carl-cox-played-at-his-space-residency-in-ibiza

Skepta: Seven things you should know about the 2016 Mercury Prize winner -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-37381581

Science:

Is India in the throes of a fever outbreak? - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-37415781

Sport:

Rachel Atherton: 'I don't need an Olympic medal' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/37362656

A fresh chance to banish the curse of Mayo - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-37378935 Of course they lost, because they are Mayo.

Football:

Head injuries: Football's continuing failure highlighted yet again by treatment of Anthony Martial -
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premier-league/2015-2016/head-injur_sto5863136/story.shtml

Naismith earns Goodison cheers despite helping sink Everton - http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/naismith-earns-goodison-cheers-despite-helping-sink-everton_sto5867173/story.shtml

Olympics:

Rio Olympics 2016: How last-second gold changed taekwondo fighter's life -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/taekwondo/37428292

Paralympics:

Gold medallist welcomed back from Rio – with gold wheelie bin - http://www.eurosport.co.uk/all-sports/le-buzz/2015/gold-medallist-welcomed-back-from-rio-with-gold-wheelie-bin_sto5863226/story.shtml

Rio 2016: The people who fix broken legs at the Paralympics - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-37385671

Rugby League:

Women's Rugby League World Cup to be held alongside men's - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37348745

Leigh Centurions: Journey from despair to Super League delight - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/37350474

Rugby Union:

Saved from the dark side: how Hong Kong’s rugby ‘Pigs’ are giving Philippine street kids a chance -
http://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2020234/saved-dark-side-how-hong-kongs-rugby-pigs-are-giving-philippine-street

Snooker:

German Masters: Anthony Hamilton beats Ali Carter to win first title -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/38874907 Yay! and Finally!

Writers:

My grandfather Roald Dahl, the magician - https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/sep/13/my-grandfather-cast-a-spell-over-my-childhood

The bit about Ronnie O'Sullivan on now makes me like Jack Lisowski and Mark Davis more than I had done. They seem to be the only one that get that there are things more important than snooker in this world.

Also snooker seems to be turning into tennis.

There's a reason this is my RL icon.

Avengers, X-Men: First Class and half a dozen other reviews forthcoming once I'm able to do anything that involves thought without cussing at PhD students. Or particular student.

It's either that or marveling at Ronnie O'Sullivan's snooker playing. When he's got his brain in gear he really is fantastic to watch.

Or cursing luck on behalf of poor Colin Edwards (MotoGP: Colin Edwards to have surgery on broken collarbone - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/17973497). The worst of it (other than this is the second time in two years) is that it wasn't even his accident. I shall allow Steve Parrish to explain: "Edwards was on a slow lap during qualifying but he did everything right as he got way off the racing line and he didn't even see Randy de Puniet coming.

De Puniet then unfortunately fell off and skittled Edwards with him. Edwards' first words to the marshals when they helped him were unprintable, but along the lines of "what was that?" He didn't even know what had happened."

(full article here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/17974736)

Shakespeare Meme - Day #18: Your favorite dialogue

The bit I'm about to mention is my actual favourite, despite the temptation to say everything that comes out of Mercutio's mouth.

Henry V, act 3 scene 7 - http://www.shakespeare-literature.com/Henry_V/16.html

or from the start, to minute 7 of this



And yes, that is Julian Glover playing the Constable.

There's so many things I like about this dialogue. One is the word play, which is bitchy and funny, and actually quite caustic give that the only way for stuff to fall off armour in battle is if the person wearing it gets hit.

The second is that the Dauphin gets the verbal smackdown (to his face) that he's been deserving throughout the play. And the Constable gets to do it :)

I love the repetition of 'would it were day', because, well I certainly get like that between rounds in fencing so I can't imagine how much worse it would be for something that could lead to your death. It makes it seem more real.

( Other Days )

There will be a much longer post all about Stephen Hendry, because the greatest snooker player I have even seen play gets his own post when he retires.

In the snooker, it appears to be the year of the underachiever, what with Ronnie who has never won as much as his talent ought to have done, Matthew Stevens and Stephen Maguire who've never won the World Title, which if I'd said that 10 years ago, I don't think anyone would have believed, and Ali Carter who is just unlucky.

It could be interesting.

Come on, Matthew!

~~~~

Council elections - Luckily the Green Party were standing so I didn't have to spoil my ballot. I agree with most of their policies most of the time, and it might stop the bickering in my ward.

I do love poor David Dimbleby pointing out exactly how confusing the mish-mash of council elections is with some places (Brum) voting for 1/3 of their councillors, other places voting for 1/2 of the council seats and others doing all.

The poor little Tories are feeling a little got at by their voters switching to UKIP. I cackle, for all that I despise UKIP.

Actually, the problem is that I dislike their policies and their views and everything, but I approve of them existing because more parties means that people have someone they want to vote for because they like the party's policy, not because they hate or dislike another party.

~~~~

They were doing the West Midlands round up just as my ward declared. So excited. I think it might have been Labour that took it.

Bloody hell, I've just seen the St. Helens results. Now, while obviously a Labour stronghold, within living memory the council has been hung. Now, it's 40 Labour councillors, 5 Lib Dems and 3 Conservatives.

I like our Shadow Business Secretary (this chap - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuka_Umunna). He's smooth and politely vicious.

~~~~

Friends-list, I am sadly unlearned in the ways of poetry, particularly non-English poets. If you were to make a list of poets famous for their love poems, who would you include?

Unfortunately this question brings up nothing but the GCSE anthology for me, and this was deliberately the section I didn't answer questions on. Thankfully, our other poetry option was 'Poems From Other Cultures' which was far more interesting.

Heine springs to mind but that's about it.

~~~~

Dear TNA, just so you know, I'm watching the snooker instead of you. This is for 2 reasons:

1 - In snooker, no one is responsible for my favourites losing, other than they themselves.

2 - with the exception of when I came into the room to see Kazarian and Daniels grinning gleefully in anticipation, every time I wandered into the living room from the kitchen, my screen, when you were on, was filled with 'do not want'. This included more Bischoff nonsense when I thought Lockdown was supposed to be the end of it, not-Abyss getting into it with Gunnar, and Hogan about to start the old man hour.

The only hight points were aforementioned evil glee (and subsequent pay-off *) and Storm's post-match interview from Lockdown, which was less a high point more 'gah' and possibly 'hnung' because well, incoherently upset ** James Storm counts as things which I do not wish to see because he is my present favourite. And I didn't want to see him on Impact, especially not when they'd done the whole 'not here yet' thing, because he was going to apologise for not winning and then I would be disconsolate ***.

On less emotive points ( spoilers )

( Spoilery footnotes )