The "And in other news..." thread

[Domh245]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-...social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=facebook

Does this mean i can text or call someone in Belgium and it would come under my text/minutes? bit confused on this one

As of the 15th of June (ie tomorrow as I type this) EU roaming charges are abolished. The text I received from EE:

Hi Domh245, great news, your mobile plan is getting even better! From 15th June, you'll get free EU roaming. You'll be able to take all your UK data, minutes, and texts to use anywhere in the EU at no extra cost. Perfect if you want to post a selfie from the beach or find your way around with maps. Find out more here about the charges

It may vary between operators or even plans, but I expect they'll all be fundamentally the same. Unfortunately, that news, whilst nice, was not great, as I got back from the EU on the 10th after a week long holiday, more frustrating that anything else!

 

[Y961 XBU]

So does that mean i can make texts/calls to people in Belgium without any addition charges?

 

[Jonny]

Meanwhile, back on the origins of food thing...

My mum once talked my sister out of being vegetarian... by telling her that chickens were a type of melon.

 

[najaB]

So does that mean i can make texts/calls to people in Belgium without any addition charges?

No. Not unless your subscription is with a Belgian mobile operator.

What it means is that when you are in Belgium (using your UK phone) you will pay the same to call the UK as if you were in the UK.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

As of the 15th of June (ie tomorrow as I type this) EU roaming charges are abolished. The text I received from EE:



It may vary between operators or even plans, but I expect they'll all be fundamentally the same. Unfortunately, that news, whilst nice, was not great, as I got back from the EU on the 10th after a week long holiday, more frustrating that anything else!

I love how operators are trying to make it out that they're giving us a gift out of the kindness of their hearts rather than being forced to by regulators. Much like how train operators will have notices along the lines of "In the interest of comfort and safety, ACME Cattletruck Company (North) operates a no-smoking policy on all our trains and stations." This despite the fact that they have little or no choice but to do so. It's just needlessly duplicitous.

 

[Howardh]

As of the 15th of June (ie tomorrow as I type this) EU roaming charges are abolished. !

Make the most of the next 23 months because as sure as eggs are lettuce the UK government will bow to mega-company pressure to drop the EU regulations.

Pity they don't bow to mega-companies telling them to stay in the EU.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Make the most of the next 23 months because as sure as eggs are lettuce the UK government will bow to mega-company pressure to drop the EU regulations.

They will. The UK government have been opposing these changes for years.

 

[najaB]

They will. The UK government have been opposing these changes for years.

Any surprise? Mobile phone spend is taxable.

 

[DaleCooper]

Great Britain-shaped cloud spotted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-40287817

A cloud looking like a map of Great Britain has been spotted.

Huddersfield photographer Golcar Matt snapped the cloud in the East Midlands and submitted it to the BBC Weather Watchers website.

BBC Weather presenter Alina Jenkins said it was a common cumulus cloud, which can often be seen forming shapes in the sky.

"They're formed by the sun heating the air at the surface," she said.

"The air then rises and as it does it cools and condenses to create the "cotton wool" type clouds which often take on interesting shapes.

 

[Darandio]

Great Britain-shaped cloud spotted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-40287817

I saw that, but i've no doubt it's actually a 'Bansky'.

He's collected lots of little clouds and connected them together.

 

[najaB]

Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea worm and everyone is thinking the same thing

I can't possibly imagine what it is they are thinking of.

 

[DaleCooper]

Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea worm and everyone is thinking the same thing

I can't possibly imagine what it is they are thinking of.

Apparently these worms spend their whole life searching for burrows, crevices, cracks or other hollow spaces into which they poke their head only to withdraw it a minute later and go off looking for another one; nobody knows why they do it.

 

[fowler9]

Apparently these worms spend their whole life searching for burrows, crevices, cracks or other hollow spaces into which they poke their head only to withdraw it a minute later and go off looking for another one; nobody knows why they do it.

 

[Cowley]

I think I've got those in my bath.

 

[Darandio]

I can't possibly imagine what it is they are thinking of.

Me neither. Wooden clothes peg?

 

[DaleCooper]

I think I've got those in my bath.

Just the one I hope.

 

[DaleCooper]

I have a bit more information about these curious creatures. The female is much smaller and spends its whole life hidden in a fissure covered by marine growths. The males don't even know that the females exist and can go through their life without encountering one.

 

[fowler9]

I have a bit more information about these curious creatures. The female is much smaller and spends its whole life hidden in a fissure covered by marine growths. The males don't even know that the females exist and can go through their life without encountering one.

I think I am one after the last 5 years. Can I get a DNA test?

 

[DaleCooper]

OMG!

World Taekwondo Federation changes name over 'negative connotations'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/taekwondo/40391326

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has changed its name to World Taekwondo because of the "negative connotations" associated with its initials.

The organisation had used the previous name since it was established in 1973.

However, it felt in the "digital age" the slang of the old abbreviation was "unrelated to our organisation and so it was important that we rebranded to better engage with our fans".

 

[najaB]

OMG!

World Taekwondo Federation changes name over 'negative connotations'

Love it!

 

[Calthrop]

The "unfortunate initials" thing has been with us, I'm sure, ever since mankind first devised alphabetic writing.

Have mentioned this previously on RailUKForums: the promoters of England's Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Light Railway would have been well-advised -- had they been less pure-minded -- to think of some other title for their railway. That would have avoided such things as the Great Western Railway's employee at Clevedon (GW) station, being reported by an irate highly-respectable lady for gross insolence to her, and thus being the subject of a GWR disciplinary hearing. The day's last train from Clevedon (GW) to the main-line junction, had left; the lady was anxious about how to get to Weston-Super-Mare. The hapless railwayman -- only wishing to help the would-be passenger -- said to her: "Madam, the best thing you can do, is to go to the W.C. & P."

 

[Cowley]

OMG!

World Taekwondo Federation changes name over 'negative connotations'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/taekwondo/40391326

I don't think you should be allowed to write OMG. Just saying.

 

[DaleCooper]

I don't think you should be allowed to write OMG. Just saying.

Why not? Oriental Media Group was the source of the item.

 

[Cowley]

Why not? Oriental Media Group was the source of the item.

I'd show my appreciation for that joke but you'll just have to guess what I thought of it.

 

[DaleCooper]

I'd show my appreciation for that joke but you'll just have to guess what I thought of it.

I'm was flattered that you referred to my barefaced lie as "that joke" until I guessed what you thought of it and now I'm crestfallen. How could you be so cruel?

 

[GusB]

The "unfortunate initials" thing has been with us, I'm sure, ever since mankind first devised alphabetic writing.

I'm not sure how true this is, but I remember watching a docu-drama programme about Mary Whitehouse a few years ago. Apparently she wanted to call her campaign "Clean Up National Television", but was dissuaded by her husband.

 

[Darandio]

This one made me chuckle.

Singhsbury's renamed Morrisinghs after Sainsbury's 'legal row'.

A shopkeeper who claimed he was threatened with legal action after calling his shop Singhsbury's has changed its name to Morrisinghs.

Jel Singh Nagra's shop had no name for five years after he said Sainsbury's complained, The Northern Echo reported.

He has now put up a new sign naming his store Morrisinghs, in a bid to put his village of West Allotment, North Tyneside, "on the map".

A spokesman for Morrisons said the supermarket "did not mind".

"Mr Nagra and his customers obviously have good taste so we wish him well," he added.

Mr Nagra, who commutes 50 miles from Stockton to the shop in Benton Road, spent £350 on the new sign which he said was "a talking point".

"It is just a bit of banter and fun - it's not like we get passing trade - we are not stealing customers from supermarkets," he added.

"Originally when I was away on my honeymoon in 2012, I got a letter saying that Sainsbury's was threatening to take me to court.

"My family saw the letter and took the sign down because they were so worried. My customers kept saying I needed another sign so here it is and it's a bit cheeky."

The shop had already been called Singhsbury's for two years when Mr Nagra took it over from a family member in 2011.

Sainsbury's has been contacted for a comment.

 

[fowler9]

This one made me chuckle.

Reminds me of McDowells.

 

[Darandio]

Reminds me of McDowells.

Indeed, but don't forget that they have golden arcs, not arches.

 

[fowler9]

Indeed, but don't forget that they have golden arcs, not arches.