The "And in other news..." thread

[BananaRepublic]

Nigel Farage has had a bank account with Coutts closed, not for political reason as Farage claimed but because he didn't have enough money, he's been offered a regular account with Coutts owners, Natwest, instead.

Nigel Farage bank account shut for falling below wealth limit, source tells BBC

Nigel Farage's account with the bank Coutts is not being closed for political reasons, the BBC is told.

www.bbc.co.uk

Turns out that Farage was telling the truth and the BBC Article was a complete pack of lies.
He’s obtained full documentation from Coutts, on their decision to close his account, using the banking equivalent of a freedom of info request.
The report obtained from the bank, extended to a few dozen pages, including the minutes of the meeting, where a decision to close Farage’s account was discussed.
In Coutts own words, there was enough money to meet the financial criteria to maintain an account with them.
Their decision was purely based on political reasons.

 

[AM9]

Turns out that Farage was telling the truth and the BBC Article was a complete pack of lies.
He’s obtained full documentation from Coutts, on their decision to close his account, using the banking equivalent of a freedom of info request.
The report obtained from the bank, extended to a few dozen pages, including the minutes of the meeting, where a decision to close Farage’s account was discussed.
In Coutts own words, there was enough money to meet the financial criteria to maintain an account with them.
Their decision was purely based on political reasons.

So it was a commercial decision not to be associated with such a toxic character as him?

 

[edwin_m]

So it was a commercial decision not to be associated with such a toxic character as him?

Which many people might have sympathised with, but not so much if someone in Coutts has lied to the BBC.

 

[BananaRepublic]

So it was a commercial decision not to be associated with such a toxic character as him?

A decision based on corporate reputation lines, citing various smears and accusations, made against the customer in question.

The point that the BBC published an article based on made up facts, by a journalist from another publication, shouldn’t go unnoticed.
I have more of an issue with that than the subject matter.

 

[AM9]

A decision based on corporate reputation lines, citing various smears and accusations, made against the customer in question.

That particular person is well experienced in dishing out "smears and accusations" so maybe he adopts a thin skin when they are aimed at him.

 

[najaB]

The point that the BBC published an article based on made up facts, by a journalist from another publication, shouldn’t go unnoticed.

An article that clearly states "the BBC has been told" - journalists report the facts as they are known at the time. The article also says "Speaking to the BBC from France, Mr Farage did not dispute the fact that he did not meet Coutts' threshold, but added: "They didn't have a problem with it for the last 10 years."

So they were told by one source that the account was closed because its balance was too low, and Farrage didn't dispute that, in what way is the article a "complete pack of lies"?

 

[birchesgreen]

Islas Malvinas: EU signs deal using Falklands’ Argentine name

UK asks bloc to clarify position after Buenos Aires declares ‘triumph’ over use of term in declaration

www.theguardian.com

Forty-one years after the Falklands war, the UK has suffered a diplomatic defeat over the archipelago as the EU appeared to endorse the Argentine name for the disputed territory, Islas Malvinas.

Brussels supported an Argentina-backed declaration referring to Islas Malvinas at a summit of EU leaders with Latin America and the Caribbean (Celac) leaders on Tuesday, which Buenos Aires called a “diplomatic triumph”.

Oh dear, this won't do much for the blood pressure of the froth brigade.

 

[PG]

Maybe best to avoid a stroll in the Berlin suburbs...

Police search for suspected lion roaming Berlin area

Police are searching for an animal they believe is a lioness in the south-western outskirts of Berlin.
A police spokeswoman said they received calls and a video alerting them to the wild animal at about midnight on Wednesday, and immediately began their search.
At least 30 police cars were deployed, and veterinarians called to assist in the search for the big cat.
Residents are being told to stay indoors until it is found.

 

[D6130]

Maybe best to avoid a stroll in the Berlin suburbs...

Latest news reports are suggesting that it may be a large wild boar, as no lions or lionesses have been reported missing from zoos or circuses.

 

[GusB]

Latest news reports are suggesting that it may be a large wild boar, as no lions or lionesses have been reported missing from zoos or circuses.

Well, it's an easy mistake to make, isn't it?!

 

[341o2]

As has been suggested regarding the Tasmanian Tiger, often seen after a few beers.

Anyway, in other news, a cervical cancer charity has called for renaming the vagina as a "bonus hole" or "front hole"

Vagina rebranded as ‘bonus hole’ by cervical cancer charity The terminology, which aims to avoid upsetting transgender men, has been accused of dehumanising women


A charity which advises medics to refer to a vagina as a “bonus hole” to avoid upsetting transgender men has been accused of dehumanising women.
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust offers a guide on its website detailing the appropriate language healthcare professionals should use when dealing with trans men.
“Bonus hole” and “front hole” are deemed acceptable alternatives to vagina, a word which could “cause someone to feel hurt or distressed”, it states.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...nus-hole-cervical-cancer-charity-transgender/

 

[najaB]

Anyway, in other news, a cervical cancer charity has called for renaming the vagina as a "bonus hole" or "front hole"

I'm fairly sure this is "fake news" of some kind. I can't see why any medical-adjacent charity would stop using medically accurate terms "in order to avoid offense".

 

[Gloster]

I'm fairly sure this is "fake news" of some kind. I can't see why any medical-adjacent charity would stop using medically accurate terms "in order to avoid offense".

It was in the Telegraph, ‘nuff said.

 

[JD2168]

There has been quite a bit of news in recent days about a US Army member crossing the Demilitarised Zone from South to North Korea called Private 2nd Class Travis King. Apparently he escaped being sent back to America after being in trouble, changed into normal clothes, bought a DMZ branded cap & joined a tour of the DMZ. He was spotted laughing as he ran across the border. Nothing has been heard of him since.

 

[najaB]

There has been quite a bit of news in recent days about a US Army member crossing the Demilitarised Zone from South to North Korea called Private 2nd Class Travis King. Apparently he escaped being sent back to America after being in trouble, changed into normal clothes, bought a DMZ branded cap & joined a tour of the DMZ. He was spotted laughing as he ran across the border.

Here's a link to a news source about this story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66253401

Nothing has been heard of him since.

And likely never will, unless and until Pyongyang is in need of something from the West.

 

[brad465]

Here's a link to a news source about this story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66253401

And likely never will, unless and until Pyongyang is in need of something from the West.

Is Bill Clinton on hand to make an unannounced visit to rescue them?

 

[Baxenden Bank]

There has been quite a bit of news in recent days about a US Army member crossing the Demilitarised Zone from South to North Korea called Private 2nd Class Travis King. Apparently he escaped being sent back to America after being in trouble, changed into normal clothes, bought a DMZ branded cap & joined a tour of the DMZ. He was spotted laughing as he ran across the border. Nothing has been heard of him since.

His return will take some time, being second class rather than first!

 

[birchesgreen]

I'm fairly sure this is "fake news" of some kind. I can't see why any medical-adjacent charity would stop using medically accurate terms "in order to avoid offense".

Well the article says "Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust offers a guide on its website detailing the appropriate language healthcare professionals should use when dealing with trans men"

So it seems to me its just a case of using language in a specific (and probably pretty rare) case not something most people would ever hear anyway. As usual a mountain made out of a mole hill.

 

[najaB]

So it seems to me its just a case of using language in a specific (and probably pretty rare) case not something most people would ever hear anyway. As usual a mountain made out of a mole hill.

I must confess I didn't bother reading the article seeing as 90% of Telegraph articles are behind a paywall, but that exactly what I meant by some kind of fake news - a headline intended to cause pearl-clutching with the details being somewhat less dramatic.

 

[AndyPJG]

BBC News

Link to photo:- The hearse was left on the pitch following the incident

Gateshead match abandoned after hearse drives onto pitch
A Gateshead FC match has been called off in chaos after a funeral hearse and a car were driven onto the pitch.
The National League club's friendly against Dunston was abandoned at half-time amid extraordinary scenes which stunned watching supporters.
Footage posted on social media showed the vehicles being driven in circles in the centre of the pitch.
Two men - who witnesses said were masked - then climbed out of the hearse and into the car and left the ground.
Gateshead fan Archie Clark told the BBC the intruders "apparently barged through the gate from the car park" then broke through the railings along the edge of the pitch.
He said posters were thrown out of the car's window in an apparent protest before "two people in ski masks" jumped out of the hearse and into the silver car and drove off.
Matty Hewitt, a football writer at the Newcastle Chronicle, said Gateshead International Stadium was evacuated as a police helicopter circled overhead following the incident.
"Two cars driven onto the pitch with masked men getting out and leaving a hearse on the pitch," he tweeted, describing it as a "terrifying experience with plenty of children about".
Gateshead FC said: "Due to an incident on the pitch occurring shortly after half time, tonight's match has been abandoned by the referee."
The BBC has contacted Northumbria Police for further information.

Some bodies on the pitch...they think it's all over?

 

[brad465]

The teams involved were playing in a crucial group of death match.

 

[Loppylugs]

Blimey, was the ref that bad ??

 

[D6130]

Sudden death playoff?

 

[najaB]

Link to photo:- The hearse was left on the pitch following the incident

Some bodies on the pitch...they think it's all over?

A link to the video on YouTube:

 

[brad465]

Clarkson was always known for explosive stuff, now he seems to be taking it literally:

Jeremy Clarkson warns some of his cider might explode

The brewery says some of the cider has over-fermented causing some bottles to erupt.

www.bbc.co.uk

Jeremy Clarkson has warned customers who have bought his cider that some bottles could explode.
The 63-year-old presenter said a mistake meant there was a "slim chance" some of the Hawkstone Cider bottles may erupt.
The cider comes from Hawkstone Brewery in Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire.
On Twitter he said: "If the cap has the code L3160, open it underwater, pour it away and get in touch for a refund."
He said: "There's been a massive cock up and as a result, there's a very slim chance some of our Hawkstone CIDER bottles might, there's no easy way of saying this, explode.
"Really sorry about this but on the upside, the beer is fine and still delicious.
"As is the cider, in bottles that are unaffected. Which is almost all of them."
The drinks brand was launched in 2021, with its primary ingredients coming from Clarkson's 1,000-acre Diddly Squat farm in Chipping Norton.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Any idea what the hearse protest was about?

 

[birchesgreen]

A link to the video on YouTube:

Whole new meaning to "Game of death"

 

[AndyPJG]

Any idea what the hearse protest was about?

From the BBC item

"He said posters were thrown out of the car's window in an apparent protest before "two people in ski masks" jumped out of the hearse and into the silver car and drove off.
The posters included a number of personal allegations about two individuals."

 

[edwin_m]

An article that clearly states "the BBC has been told" - journalists report the facts as they are known at the time. The article also says "Speaking to the BBC from France, Mr Farage did not dispute the fact that he did not meet Coutts' threshold, but added: "They didn't have a problem with it for the last 10 years."

So they were told by one source that the account was closed because its balance was too low, and Farrage didn't dispute that, in what way is the article a "complete pack of lies"?

The ideal journalist to report on this would obviously be ... Sophia Money-Coutts.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Clarkson was always known for explosive stuff, now he seems to be taking it literally:

Jeremy Clarkson warns some of his cider might explode

The brewery says some of the cider has over-fermented causing some bottles to erupt.

www.bbc.co.uk

Just think how little publicity his TV shows would get and how boring the shows would be if things went right. It's as though these things are engineered!