News you might have missed: August 2014

From Northern trains to prisoner votes, gay mayors to Bake Off scandals

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

Politics

Minister Norman Baker wants end to UK animal tests
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28580792

I agree that the number of experiments on animals should be as small as possible but I don't think that a complete ban would be productive

In full: Baroness Warsi's resignation letter
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28657623

It is not often that i agree with Baroness Warsi but she makes some good points...

Five northern cities set to outline £15bn transport plan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28654134

It's time for HS3...

No European Court damages for prisoners denied vote
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28753874

Sensible outcome - a blanket ban is wrong - I think anyone with a year or less of their sentence remaining should be able to vote, to prepare them to reintegrate with society

PM pledges to add mothers to 'outdated' marriage certificate that only details father
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pm-pledges-to-add-mothers-to-outdated-marriage-certificate-that-only-details-father-9676683.html

Good for equality, good for genealogists. Although I expect there will be a min-outcry about what to do about same-sex parents...

Syria conflict: Islamic State 'committed war crimes'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28948555

In the case of Syria and Islamic State, it is clear that the enemy of my enemy is not my friend. Both sides appear to have committed war crimes.

Nigel Farage to fight Thanet seat for UKIP in 2015
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28937415

As expected...

Ukraine to seek Nato membership, says PM Yatsenyuk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28978699

Not unexpected...

LGBT

Uganda court annuls anti-gay law
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-28605400

Good news but i expect it will resurface soon enough

Frank Maloney sex change: Boxing legend now living as a woman
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/frank-maloney-sex-change-boxing-4030910#.U-c0cvl90xE

Positively written

Court upholds gay marriage ban for first time since Windsor.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/08/11/supreme_court_upholds_gay_marriage_ban_for_first_time_since_windsor.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_top

The run of equality wins was going to stop at some point - but this ruling doesn't seem particularly well justified (to an outsider). It also makes me glad that we don't elect judges here in the UK.

Germany: Out Berlin mayor to stand down
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/08/27/germany-out-berlin-mayor-to-stand-down/

Entertainment

Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Robin Windsor pulls out of series after suffering back injury
http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/06/robin-windsor-pulls-out-of-strictly-come-dancing-after-suffering-back-injury-4822029/

Sad news...

Robin Williams, actor and comedian found dead at 63
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-28749702

We have lost a legend

Lauren Bacall was last living icon name-dropped in Madonna's Vogue.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/08/12/lauren_bacall_was_last_living_icon_name_dropped_in_madonna_s_vogue.html?wpsrc=fol_tw

A Cake Scandal Hit “The Great British Bake Off” And The British Are Angry
http://www.buzzfeed.com/scottybryan/a-cake-scandal-hit-the-great-british-bake-off-and-the-britis?utm_term=35n87ip#273h21v

In case you missed the excitement last night...

Education

We Are All Chumps Now: App Economy Edition
http://dish.andrewsullivan.com/2014/08/21/we-are-all-chumps-now-app-economy-edition/

If there isn't a STEM shortage in the US, I wonder what the real situation in the UK is...

Northampton

Sekhemka statue: Northampton Museum loses Art Council accreditation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-28602849

They were told that the Council risked losing accreditation but the Tories didn't listen - and now they have!

And finally…

Facebook notifications icon: Globe changes with location as American users become minority.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/07/31/facebook_notifications_icon_globe_changes_with_location_as_american_users.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_bot

I noticed something was different but couldn't quite say what...

The stigma of being an atheist in the US
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-28616115

A previous poll by Pew suggested respondents in the US regarded atheists as less trustworthy than rapists!!!!!

Can you pass a U.S. citizenship test?
http://www.playbuzz.com/wrtvdigital10/can-you-pass-a-u-s-citizenship-test

Archbishop of Canterbury rules pair’s 23-year marriage ‘invalid’ over birth certificate error
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/05/02/uk-womans-23-year-marriage-declared-invalid-over-male-birth-certificate-error/

Seems odd that they've only just noticed the mistake (that she has "boy" on her birth certificate) but this a problem that trans and intersex people regularly face

Hips Don't Lie - Charity Single - Out of the Blue - Shakira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRWVMPnByzo

Oxford Uni acapella boys cover Shakira for charity - sweetly innocent!

Google tests drone deliveries in Project Wing trials
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28964260

Will Google become Skynet?