News you might have missed - December 2013 and January 2014

Political

Revealed: spy agencies' covert push to infiltrate virtual world of online games | World news | theguardian.com
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/09/nsa-spies-online-games-world-warcraft-second-life

The NSA declined to comment on the surveillance of games...

Google acquires Boston Dynamics, maker of BigDog, Atlas, and Petman DARPA Robots. (video)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/12/16/google_acquires_boston_dynamics_maker_of_bigdog_atlas_and_petman_darpa_robots.html

First "do no evil", then...

Cameron's internet filter goes far beyond porn - and that was always the plan
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/12/camerons-internet-filter-goes-far-beyond-porn-and-was-always-plan

Why am I not surprised...

The Lib Dems must make tackling long-term youth unemployment their mission
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/01/lib-dems-must-make-tackling-long-term-youth-unemployment-their-mission

Great post by my friend Mathew on tackling long-term youth unemployment

What Would Happen If Paddington Bear Tried To Immigrate To The UK Today
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/what-would-happen-if-paddington-bear-tried-to-immigrate-to-t

It's not promising for him...

Lord Rennard sex case: Westminster's sexist treatment of women is stuck in the 1950s
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10576363/Lord-Rennard-sex-case-Westminsters-sexist-treatment-of-women-is-stuck-in-the-1950s.html?fb

Parliament needs to be modernised in so many ways

MPs smiling when visiting a food bank - All parties are guilty!
http://viewfromtheshire.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/mps-smiling-when-visiting-food-bank-all.html

MPs from all parties smile when visiting food banks - here are the pictures to show it...

Canada orders Briton to stop selling Marmite and Irn-Bru
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25867613

Irn-bru is banned in Canada for its links to hyperactivity...

Jane Merrick offers some reasons for the Lib Dems to be cheerful, counts the cost of a free TV licence, and naming names

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jane-merrick-offers-some-reasons-for-the-lib-dems-to-be-cheerful-counts-the-cost-of-a-free-tv-licence-and-naming-names-9085328.html

How We Can All Learn to Stop Worrying and Love the Lib Dems

Rufus Hound in Euro elections NHS bid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25900089

I respect the fact that he is willing to do something for his political beliefs (unlike Russell Brand)

LGBT

Olympian Tom Daley’s mystery man: Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2013/12/olympian-tom-daleys-mystery-man-oscar-winner-dustin-lance-black/

More gossip...

76 countries where same-sex relationships are illegal: A depressing U.N. map.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2013/12/09/_76_countries_where_same_sex_relationships_are_illegal_a_depressing_u_n.html

Looks like a colonial legacy...

I'm Gay, LGBT, 'Whatever': The 53 Most Powerful Coming Outs of 2013
http://www.towleroad.com/2013/12/50.html

I missed some of these (Loki, Raven Symonè!) and have never heard of some of these americans but they all seem a happy bunch :)

India top court reinstates gay sex ban
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25329065

Sad news...

Couples in civil partnerships ‘disappointed’ to have to wait longer to convert to marriage
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/11/couples-in-civil-partnerships-disappointed-to-have-to-wait-longer-to-convert-to-marriage/

Count me as one of the 'disappointed'...

Same sex rulings in India and Australia - the struggle goes on
http://viewfromtheshire.blogspot.com/2013/12/same-sex-rulings-in-india-and-australia.html?spref=fb

Yes, opposing gay marriage makes you a homophobe
https://www.facebook.com/Slate/posts/10152074044776438

Ugandan MPs pass life in jail anti-homosexual law
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25463942

More sad news...

Thomas Hitzlsperger: Former Aston Villa player reveals he is gay
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25628806

Progress

Gay marriage in 2013 - A reflection
http://viewfromtheshire.blogspot.com/2014/01/gay-marriage-in-2013-reflection.html?spref=fb

Nigeria’s president has made ‘Jail All The Gays’ bill law
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/nigerias-president-reported-have-made-jail-all-gays-bill-law130114#sthash.V6mTsbbJ.gbpl

Sad news...

US judge strikes down Okla. same-sex marriage ban

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/us-judge-strikes-down-okla-same-sex-marriage-ban/2014/01/14/17e5e444-7d6d-11e3-97d3-b9925ce2c57b_story.html

Good news...

Putin anti-gay Olympics: Russian president tells gays to leave the kids alone.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/01/17/putin_anti_gay_olympics_russian_president_tells_gays_to_leave_the_kids_alone.html

Sadly I am not surprised...

Olympics staff assault gay protester in Russia for waving rainbow flag
http://americablog.com/2014/01/olympics-staff-tackle-gay-protester-russia.html

And so it begins...

UK Government launches consultation into future of civil partnerships
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/24/government-launches-consultation-into-future-of-civil-partnerships/

Decisions, decisions...

Holocaust Memorial Day: The lessons we should learn from the Nazi persecution of gay people
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/27/holocaust-memorial-day-the-lessons-we-should-learn-from-the-nazi-persecution-of-gay-people/

Comment: Stonewall’s complicated relationship with trans activists is based on old arguments
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/27/comment-stonewalls-complicated-relationship-with-trans-activists-is-based-on-old-arguments/

A bit of a history lesson

Russia: Newspaper editor fined under anti-gay law for printing ‘being gay is normal’
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/30/russia-newspaper-editor-fined-under-anti-gay-law-for-printing-being-gay-is-normal/

Worrying

Entertainment

Dancing On Ice reveals line-up for final series
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/25319818

Previous contestants returning include Gary Lucy, Kyran Bracken, Sam Attwater... and Bonnie Langford

Where (not) to go in Guildford: 8 clubs and bars to avoid like herpes
http://noiseontrial.com/2011/07/01/where-not-to-go-in-guildford-8-clubs-and-bars-to-avoid-like-herpes/

Guildford is "a hyped-up prep hole that thinks its a mini Kingston" - it's clearly gone downhill since my time there ;)

Paul Dini explains why execs don't want girls watching their superhero shows
http://boingboing.net/2013/12/16/paul-dini-explains-why-execs-d.html

Because cartoons are for selling toys to boys...

Why Marketers Fear The Female Geek

http://howtonotsuckatgamedesign.com/2013/12/marketers-fear-female-geek-2/

We are all slaves to marketers...

Murder, She Wrote remake is scrapped by US network NBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25840830

Good

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall name baby daughter Mia Grace Tindall
http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/23/zara-phillips-and-mike-tindall-name-royal-baby-daughter-mia-grace-tindall-4274968/

Zara becomes Mamma Mia...

Science

Universal Lessons From a Dude With Two Penises - The Cut
http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/01/universal-lessons-from-a-dude-with-two-penises.html

You learn something new every day --> Universal Lessons From a Dude With Two Penises

255th anniversary of the British Museum: Google Doodle celebrates institution's opening
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/255th-anniversary-of-the-british-museum-google-doodle-celebrates-london-institutions-birthday-9060397.html

Am due a visit... ;)

New device makes wheelchairs obsolete
http://www.wimp.com/newdevice/

Wow

Fridge sends spam emails as attack hits smart gadgets
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25780908

Headline of the day: Fridge sends spam emails!

Why Audio Never Goes Viral
http://digg.com/originals/why-audio-never-goes-viral

"It’s hardly a fair fight, audio vs. cat video, but it’s the one that’s fought on Facebook every day"

Higher Education

Autumn Statement: Cap on student numbers to be lifted
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25236341

Good news - even if i don't quite see how the numbers can add up

And finally…

Motorists lose badge of superiority to cyclists
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/motorists-lose-badge-of-superiority-to-cyclists-2013120681761

Waitrose Free Coffee Or Tea Scheme 'Draws Wrong Sort Of Shopper'
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/31/waitrose-coffee-tea_n_4522724.html

No comment...

Which 'Star Wars' Character Are You?
http://www.zimbio.com/quiz/Ukldm8Pi5Ub/Star+Wars+Character?result=lR7oWcH3DZp

I can live with this result :)

Married gays to tour drought-hit countries
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/married-gays-to-tour-drought-hit-countries-2014012082721

The Daily Mash strikes gold again

Which BuzzFeed quiz are you: QUIZ!
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/low_concept/2014/01/which_buzzfeed_quiz_are_you_quiz.html

No comment! ;)