News you might have missed: May 2014

From UKIP to Eurovision, sexy selfies to gay penguins...

Here's the news you might have missed in May... 

Politics

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to seek help after new tapes leaked to media.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/04/30/toronto_mayor_rob_ford_to_seek_help_after_new_tapes_leaked_to_media.html

As i've said before, he is the gift that keeps on giving...

Take That star Gary Barlow should keep OBE - Cameron
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27364089

1000 people were part of the tax-avoidance scheme that was found to be illegal, not just Gary Barlow. The story should be about all of them. Good on Jason Orange though for not being part of the scheme.

Ukip is playing the race card, so I'm quitting the party
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/13/ukip-playing-race-card-im-quitting-the-party

UKIP uses racist populism shock...

Ukraine unrest: Dozens die as Donetsk airport 'retaken'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27584718

Might not be front line news any more but there is still a lot going on in Ukraine

LGBT

MEP candidate: Ban Grindr to stop gay MPs from ‘violating democracy’
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/01/mep-candidate-ban-grindr-to-stop-gay-mps-from-violating-democracy/

"Grindr should be banned to stop hundreds of gay MPs violating democracy" What????

Culture Secretary blocks participation in EU gay rights summit
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/04/uk-culture-secretary-blocks-uk-participation-in-eu-gay-rights-summit/

Why am I not surprised...

Nintendo apologises over same-sex gaming row
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/27361678?SThisFB

Better late than never :-)

Comment: UKIP’s disgraceful record on gay rights
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/20/comment-ukips-disgraceful-record-on-gay-rights/

Not exactly news but worth repeating

Gay UKIP MEP David Coburn: ‘Gay marriage breeds homophobia’
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/27/gay-ukip-mep-david-coburn-gay-marriage-breeds-homophobia/

I've a feeling that lots of MEPs (mostly but not only UKIP ones) will be exposed as having some "interesting" views

UKIP would ‘rather turn the clock back’ on LGBT rights by Nick Clegg
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/17/exclusive-ukip-would-rather-turn-the-clock-back-on-lgbt-rights-by-nick-clegg/

16 Million Americans Just Gained the Freedom to Marry
http://equalityontrial.com/2014/05/27/16-million-americans-just-gained-freedom-marry/

Good news

Lib Dem MEP: Tories wrong not to back ILGA-Europe’s LGBT rights pledge
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/28/lib-dem-mep-tories-wrong-not-to-back-ilga-europes-lgbt-rights-pledge/

Tories and UKIP MEPs appear to be rejecting a sensible pledge just because it is EU-wide

Entertainment

Viacom to buy Channel 5 for £450m
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27240335

A new direction for Channel 5?

What you need to know about those sexy selfies
http://www.projectqatlanta.com/news_articles/view/what_you_need_to_know_about_those_sexy_gay_selfies?gid=15506

Not just a gay thing but still amusing

Eurovision voting figures show juries and public clash
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27371264

Democracy in action

Joel Burns, The Weather Channel ignite social media fire
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/div-classstorifyiframe-srcstorifycomWFAAfort-worth-councilman-weather-channel-ignite-sociaembedborderfalse-width100-height750-frameborderno-allowtransparencytrueiframescript-srcstorifycomWFAAfort-worth-councilman-w-258910321.html

The Weather Channel in the USA picked the wrong person to be sarky about on twitter...

How to include diversity without making it your focus
http://wow.joystiq.com/2014/05/23/how-to-include-diversity-without-making-it-your-focus/

This--> "the more welcoming your tent is, the more will come stand under it"

Education

Fabric Assistances | Electrolux Design Lab 2014
http://electroluxdesignlab.com/2014/submission/fabric-assistances/

I am impressed by the creativity of the students on my German course. Please vote for one of them in a national competition for future visions of urban lifestyles

Science

Gay penguins in Kent zoo are 'the best parents'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-27405652

Gay parenting is natural...

Alien Baby: Is Your Zygote American Enough?
http://www.psmag.com/navigation/politics-and-law/alien-baby-zygote-citizenship-immigration-american-79494/#.U3c0HEhs9co.facebook

When 20th century immigration laws meet 21st century science, struggle to cope fairly...

And finally…

Church apologises after 'blacking up' white mannequin for charity display
http://www.itv.com/news/2014-05-13/church-apologises-after-painting-white-mannequin-brown-for-charity-display/

Whoever thought it would be a good idea?