News you might have missed: September 2014

From Scotland to Hong Kong, and "gay tests" to Joan Rivers

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

Politics

Juncker gives key EU economy jobs to UK and France
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29139503

Good news for the financial services industry in the UK

Venezuela's annual inflation rises to 63.4%
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-29140359

A socialist utopia...

Abu Qatada cleared of terror charges
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-29340656

It was right that no evidence derived from torture was used in this case. It is a shame that it took so long to get to this verdict

Claims of 'permanent Conservative rule' after Scottish independence don't stand up to history
https://fullfact.org/scotland/permanent_conservative_majority_scottish_independence-35134

I know the referendum is over but myths need to be challenged

Catherine Bearder writes… Now the referendum is over, we need a unifying vision for Britain

http://www.libdemvoice.org/catherine-bearder-writes-now-the-referendum-is-over-we-need-a-unifying-vision-for-britain-42487.html

Time for a proper federal UK

England Wakes!

http://carlminns.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/england-wakes.html

“If you accept the principle that Scottish MPs should not impose laws on the English and that there are some domestic issues that are too large to be handled at local level then logic dictates some form of English Assembly is needed for national English matters.” – Pretty well matches my thinking

After the ‘No’: Constitutional Reform must not be by the Elites for the Elites

http://blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/posts/2014/09/4791/

Hong Kong: Protesters defiant amid stand-off
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29405195

A status update from a friend in Hong Kong: "The tear gas is stinging. But you just kind of got used to it after one or two hits." I am proud of everyone fighting for democracy and hope it goes peacefully

Hong Kong protests: CY Leung urges crowds to leave
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-29420802

He would say that wouldn't he...

Julian Huppert writes to Theresa May over Snoopers’ Charter allegation: “I would expect you to issue a public correction and an apology at the earliest opportunity”

http://www.libdemvoice.org/julian-huppert-writes-to-theresa-may-over-snoopers-charter-allegation-i-would-expect-you-to-issue-a-public-correction-and-an-apology-at-the-earliest-opportunity-42639.html

Never going to happen although she should…

LGBT

Paul Ross: I cheated on my wife with another man
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/08/31/tv-host-i-cheated-on-my-wife-with-another-man/#.VARrgws7kvU.facebook

So the chronology was: Visited cruising site, had sex with a man, had a huge tax bill, had a year long affair with the man, became addicted to mephedrone. Yet "the sex was part of the mephedrone package. I don't see it as a gay relationship" - Hmmmm Sounds like he has lots of issues still to work through

Lesbian and gay groups face funding crisis
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/lesbian-gay-transgender-community-groups-funding-crisis-cuts

If budgets are tight then councils will cut funding to services that they do not have to fund (e.g. LGBT services) to maintain that those that they do (e.g. elderly care). Some of these charities seem to be offering national services funded by a few local authorities - that was never going to be sustainable. I would say that charities should diversify their incomes and that people should donate - but that is hardly a ground-breaking revelation and the reality is that if budgets are tight then people won't donate to charity either.

Same-sex marriage and adoption approved in another Mexican state

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/03/another-mexican-state-votes-to-approve-same-sex-marriage/

Progress

Inspirational message from champion swimmer
http://kaleidoscot.com/inspirational-message-from-champion-swimmer-1048/

A positive message...

US radio hosts: Same-sex marriage will cause straight men to cheat on their wives with gays
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/07/us-radio-hosts-same-sex-marriage-will-cause-straight-men-to-cheat-on-their-wives-with-gays/

What happens between one couple does not affects every other couple...

Ninety-year-old gay couple marries in Iowa after 72 years together
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/08/ninety-year-old-gay-couple-marries-in-iowa

Sweet

Egypt: Men arrested over same-sex wedding ‘test negative’ for homosexuality
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/10/egypt-men-arrested-over-same-sex-wedding-test-negative-for-homosexuality/

Am not surprised --> "The ‘tests’ have no basis in science and have been condemned by global health authorities."

Kazakhstani politician: You can identify gays with an easy blood test
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/13/kazakhstani-politician-you-can-identify-gays-with-an-easy-blood-test/

Would be funny if it was not so serious

Anti-gay marriage Tory MP tables bill for straight civil partnerships
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/16/anti-gay-marriage-tory-mp-tables-bill-for-straight-civil-partnerships/

I personally think that civil partnerships should be abolished and completely replaced by civil marriage, but while they still exist they should be open to opposite-sex couples

Australian Football League calls off Brunei sponsorship deal
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/18/australian-football-league-calls-off-brunei-sponsorship-deal/

I wonder if they did ethical due diligence before signing the deal?

Out former soldier James Wharton to apologise for ‘shut down gay saunas’ comments

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/19/out-former-soldier-james-wharton-to-apologise-for-shut-down-gay-saunas-comments/

Stonewall names best universities for gay students

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/19/stonewall-names-best-universities-for-gay-students/

I could criticise the methodology but I appreciate the intention

India: TV network hires first transgender news anchor

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/19/india-tv-network-hires-first-transgender-news-anchor/

Go India!

People across the world mark Bi Visibility Day

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/23/people-across-the-world-mark-bi-visibility-day/

Often overlooked

Is the New Olympic Host City Contract Enough to Prevent LGBTQ Discrimination? 

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/09/25/will_the_new_ioc_host_city_contract_really_stop_discrimination_at_the_olympic.html

I doubt it…

Trinidad and Tobago: Prime Minister says gay rights is ‘not legally possible’

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/26/trinidad-and-tobago-prime-minister-says-gay-rights-is-not-legally-possible/

I think she means “not politically possible”

Entertainment

BBC cuts Doctor Who lesbian kiss from Asian broadcasts
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/08/30/bbc-cuts-doctor-who-lesbian-kiss-from-asian-broadcasts/#.VARtaiUUnIU.facebook

It was hardly a kiss, more of a pair of people sharing oxygen - down with censorship!

Education

Scottish independence: No tuition fees ever, says Sturgeon
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29054034

Whilst I do not want to comment on the independence referendum (as i'm only Scottish by marriage and don't live in Scotland)... It really bugs me when politicians (from all parties) talk about "free education" and "no tuition fees" when they actually mean "free undergraduate education" and "no undergraduate tuition fees". Postgraduate (both taught and research) students pay tuition fees and should not be ignored.

Kung Fu Panda email error sparks LSE apology
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-29077702

Oops! --> LSE emails students and addresses them as Kung Fu Panda

Science

Wada brings in ban on xenon and argon, but has no test
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28970855

Banning something before there is a test for it seems pointless

E-cigarette criticisms 'alarmist' say researchers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29061169

It looks to me that e-cigarettes saves lives and should be encouraged...

Privacy, Security and GPS-Based Apps: An Inside Look From SCRUFF
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-silverberg/security-location-and-the_b_5793216.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices

At least some developers understand the concept of triangulation as it relates to location-based apps

BBC’s Latest Crusade: Against Internet security
http://www.complicity.co.uk/blog/2014/09/bbcs-latest-crusade-against-internet-security/

Apparently, the BBC thinks I'm a pirate because I use technology to work from home...

Myths and misconceptions in the UK science policy debate

http://www.theguardian.com/science/political-science/2014/sep/23/myths-and-misconceptions-in-the-uk-science-policy-debate

Myths too often lead to strategies

And finally…

In quotes: Joan Rivers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29075239

Some classics: "I've had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware."

10 books that influenced me
http://viewfromtheshire.blogspot.com/2014/09/10-books-that-influenced-me.html?spref=fb

Instead of just listing ten books that influenced me, I have written a bit about how I think they contributed into making me the person I am today

KLM Lost & Found service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK-T_t166TY#t=59

Love this --> Dog Works at Airport Returning Passenger's Lost Items.

Reflections on India - Some amazing sights!
http://viewfromtheshire.blogspot.com/2014/09/reflections-on-india-some-amazing-sights.html

I have included some of my pictures from India in my latest blog... Please have a look/read!

Study finds that guys with bigger bellies make better lovers

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/24/study-finds-that-guys-with-bellies-make-better-lovers/

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