The "And in other news..." thread

[dgl]

Bit like the joke I saw on a birthday card, a "painting" of King Charles with the tagline "from the artist formerly known as prince"

 

[MotCO]

Formerly.known as Frederik Twitter.

That is brilliant

 

[JD2168]

All 379 passengers & crew managed to get out of a on fire Japan Airlines plate at Haneda Airport in Tokyo after a collision with a smaller plane going to the earthquake disaster area in western Japan. Unfortunately 5 of the 6 people on the smaller plane were killed.

 

[KashmireHawker]

16 Year Old World Youth Darts Champion Luke Littler, has on his debut reached the PDC World Championship Final at the Alexandra Palace.

What a simply incredible story.

 

[Gloster]

16 Year Old World Youth Darts Champion Luke Littler, has on his debut reached the PDC World Championship Final at the Alexandra Palace.

What a simply incredible story.

No doubt tomorrow’s Daily M**l will be demanding why the Labour-run council services are letting him waste his time on this.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

All 379 passengers & crew managed to get out of a on fire Japan Airlines plate at Haneda Airport in Tokyo after a collision with a smaller plane going to the earthquake disaster area in western Japan. Unfortunately 5 of the 6 people on the smaller plane were killed.

This unfortunate happening is being discussed extensively in the below linked thread...

JAL A350 accident at Tokyo Haneda (02/01/2024)

Reports a flaming JAL A350 has just landed at Tokyo Haneda after colliding on approach with a Japanese Coastguard plane. Not hit mainstream news yet. Update: All 379 passengers and crew on board the commercial flight reported to have evacuated safely, 1 person evacuated from coastguard plane...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[AlistairCowell]

Very sad news from the other thread:

Derek Draper has died, who was arguably the most extreme case of long covid, and had several complications as a result:

Derek Draper: Kate Garraway says husband has died, aged 56

The former political adviser, had multiple health issues after first being hospitalised with Covid in 2020.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[MasterSpenny]

An earthquake has hit southern California

Earthquake hits southern California with 'rocking' felt in downtown LA

The tremor, which occurred in a mountain pass where two major faults come together, was felt in downtown Los Angeles.

news.sky.com

A moderate earthquake has hit southern California - with a preliminary magnitude of 4.1.

The US Geological Survey says it struck at 10:55am local time on Friday about one mile northwest of Lytle Creek, in the mountains east of Los Angeles.


The quake was felt as a slight rocking in downtown Los Angeles, which is about 45 miles (72km) away from the epicentre.

There were no immediate reports of injury or damage to any of the city's buildings or infrastructure, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

East of Los Angeles County, the San Bernardino County fire authorities said they have so far received no damage reports or service calls.
The quake occurred in Cajon Pass, where the San Andrea and San Jacinto faults come together, according to veteran seismologist Lucy Jones.

A 5.2 magnitude quake hit close to the same location in 1970, she added.
California frequently experiences earthquakes and on New Year's Day, a 4.1 magnitude tremor hit off the coast, 11 miles (18km) away from the city of Rancho Palos Verdes.

One of the biggest quakes in the state's recent history occurred in December 2022, when an "insane" 6.4 magnitude left two people dead and tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power.




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The quake happened near the town of Ferndale in Humboldt County and more than a dozen smaller ones appeared to hit parts of the region afterwards.

 

[Sun Chariot]

The mild (albeit very wet) winter has confused some fauna and flora on the south coast. The daffodils are already in bud and this little fellow was in bloom as early as 4th January.

 

[birchesgreen]

House-proud Welsh mouse may be ‘tidying’ for fun, say scientists

The rodent was filmed repeatedly picking up objects and placing them in a tray in a shed in Builth Wells

www.theguardian.com

Mice like to keep themselves clean, but does this diligence extend to their homes? Video footage of a mouse gathering up objects in a shed and placing them neatly inside a box, night after night, has been interpreted as evidence for “mousekeeping”. But there could be other explanations for this curious behaviour, experts say.

The Builth Wells rodent, nicknamed “Welsh Tidy Mouse” by the shed’s owner, Rodney Holbrook, was recorded gathering clothes pegs, corks, nuts and bolts and placing them in a tray on Holbrook’s workbench – a behaviour that has been going on for months. It follows a similar incident in Bristol in 2019, when a mouse was videoed “stockpiling” screws, piece of chain and other metal items inside a box of birdfeed.

Assuming Welsh Tidy Mouse really is keeping its home spick and span, it wouldn’t be the only animal to engage in “cleaning” behaviour: bees and ants remove corpses from their hives and tunnels; garibaldi damselfish clear sea urchins and starfish from their nest areas and trim excess algae; and songbirds carry their chicks’ droppings, uneaten food and dead nestlings away from their nests, possibly to reduce the risk of infection and alleviate smells that could alert predators.

The hero we all need right now.

 

[Purple Train]

House-proud Welsh mouse may be ‘tidying’ for fun, say scientists

The rodent was filmed repeatedly picking up objects and placing them in a tray in a shed in Builth Wells

www.theguardian.com

The hero we all need right now.

I'm quite impressed with the cleaning ability of the other animals mentioned in the article: after all, I don't know anyone who habitually removes corpses from their hides and tunnels.

Well, I hope I don't.

South Korea has passed into law plans to ban the production of dog meat (link here). The President and his wife own six dogs.

South Korea has passed a new law, which aims to end the slaughter and selling of dogs for their meat by 2027.
The law aims to end the centuries-old practice of eating dog meat.
Dog meat has fallen out of favour with diners over the past few decades. Young people especially shun it.
Under the law, raising or slaughtering dogs for consumption will be banned, as will distributing or selling dog meat. Those found guilty of doing so could be sent to jail.
Those butchering dogs could face up to three years in prison, while those who raise dogs for meat or sell dog meat could serve a maximum of two years. However, the consumption of dog meat itself will not be illegal.

According to government statistics, South Korea had around 1,600 dog meat restaurants and 1,150 dog farms in 2023.
Dog meat stew, called "boshintang", is considered a delicacy among some older South Koreans, but the meat is no longer popular with young people.

Interesting move - anyone able to shed more light on the cultural aspect? Is it quite as complicated culturally as the article seems to suggest?

 

[brad465]

Brings a whole new meaning to "Eton Mess" (as well as being poetic justice):

Subscribe to the Financial Times

A subscription to the Financial Times provides you with the insights and perspective you need to succeed, now.

on.ft.com

Eton College, one of Britain’s most prestigious public schools, has told pupils to study from home after heavy rainfall caused sewage issues on its site.

 

[dgl]

Brings a whole new meaning to "Eton Mess" (as well as being poetic justice):

Subscribe to the Financial Times

A subscription to the Financial Times provides you with the insights and perspective you need to succeed, now.

on.ft.com

I suppose it makes a change for the crap to not come from one of their pupils!

 

[Sun Chariot]

I felt queasy reading this, whilst chopping the sprouts and carrots this evening....

'Eunuch-maker' case: Male escort jailed for removing man's genitals

Damien Byrnes cut off the penis and testicles of a man who asked him to perform the surgery.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Sporty60]

As reported by Devon Live what looks like a Class 158 being transported by road has a mishap near Okehampton.

Train on lorry gets stuck on Devon's A30 slip road

Train on lorry gets stuck on A30 slip road

Drivers have been forced to turn around

www.devonlive.com

 

[AndyPJG]

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

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

BBC News-Tyne

A man has been charged with criminal damage after a hearse was driven on to a football pitch during a match.
The hearse and a Subaru car were driven on to the pitch during half-time at a match in Gateshead in July last year.
Those inside then threw leaflets on to the pitch before abandoning the hearse and driving off in the Subaru.
Northumbria Police said a 29-year-old man has been charged with one count of causing criminal damage.
The incident took place at the ground of Dunston UTS on Wellington Road on 21 July 2023, during a game against Gateshead.
No-one was reported to have been threatened or injured during the incident.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation and 12 people were arrested.
The 29-year-old man is due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside later this month, charged with one count of causing criminal damage and a public order offence.
Two men, aged 41 and 49, remain under investigation while another two men, aged 42 and 40, remain on police bail.
Seven other men arrested in connection with the incident will face no further action.

 

[norbitonflyer]

How?
With a side order of Why? (..............was a sleeper carriage being transported by road - is it not a runner? - is it being disposed of?)

 

[37114]

How?
With a side order of Why? (..............was a sleeper carriage being transported by road - is it not a runner? - is it being disposed of?)

Loads of reasons but most likely is some defect with the wheelsets which has rendered it unfit to run on the mainline to go to wherever to be repaired?

 

[Towers]

Loads of reasons but most likely is some defect with the wheelsets which has rendered it unfit to run on the mainline to go to wherever to be repaired?

The bogies and skirts look very clean, particularly for this time of year, so I wonder if it’s ex-works?

 

[DelW]

How?
With a side order of Why? (..............was a sleeper carriage being transported by road - is it not a runner? - is it being disposed of?)

Loads of reasons but most likely is some defect with the wheelsets which has rendered it unfit to run on the mainline to go to wherever to be repaired?

The bogies and skirts look very clean, particularly for this time of year, so I wonder if it’s ex-works?

See the GWR Night Riviera thread for the full story.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

See the GWR Night Riviera thread for the full story.

Do you have a link to the relevant thread/post(s)?

 

[JohnMcL7]

Do you have a link to the relevant thread/post(s)?

This is the thread here, a user mentions further down that the 57 fleet is currently stretched due to the overhaul program:

GWR Cornish Night Riviera Sleeper and GWR Class 57 updates from Long Rock

TSO with T=tourist meant 2+2 didn't it, with the original SOs being 2+1 but at Standard class pitch (8 windows in a Mk1 rather than 7 in 1st)? Correct!

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[birchesgreen]

I felt queasy reading this, whilst chopping the sprouts and carrots this evening....

'Eunuch-maker' case: Male escort jailed for removing man's genitals

Damien Byrnes cut off the penis and testicles of a man who asked him to perform the surgery.

www.bbc.co.uk

Unusual, usually castration means just removing the testicles. I wonder if there was confusion here. Maybe afterwards the poor bloke shouted, "You were only supposed to cut the bloody balls off!"

 

[Junctionman]

I had to explain to an American lady who was in her early 70`s the difference between England ,Scotland Wales ,Northern Ireland, Rep of Ireland , The United Kingdom and Great Britain

And she was a teacher at Junior School before she retired !!!!!!

 

[GusB]

Well, we're only human and sometimes customers push the wrong buttons... Oh, wait!

DPD error caused chatbot to swear at customer

The parcel delivery firm says the mistake was a result of a system update, which has been disabled.

www.bbc.co.uk

DPD has disabled part of its online support chatbot after it swore at a customer.
The parcel delivery firm uses artificial intelligence (AI) in its online chat to answer queries, in addition to human operators.
But a new update caused it to behave unexpectedly, including swearing and criticising the company.
DPD said it had disabled the part of the chatbot that was responsible, and it was updating its system as a result.
"We have operated an AI element within the chat successfully for a number of years," the firm said in a statement.
"An error occurred after a system update yesterday. The AI element was immediately disabled and is currently being updated."
Before the change could be made, however, word of the mix-up spread across social media after being spotted by a customer.
One particular post was viewed 800,000 times in 24 hours, as people gleefully shared the latest botched attempt by a company to incorporate AI into its business.
"It's utterly useless at answering any queries, and when asked, it happily produced a poem about how terrible they are as a company," customer Ashley Beauchamp wrote in his viral account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He added: "It also swore at me."

 

[KashmireHawker]

Luke Littler follows up his Ally Pally exploits by winning the Bahrain Darts Masters, in his debut Masters Series event two days before turning 17.

He today hit a 9-dart leg in the Quarter Final v Nathan Aspinall, a 170 finish against Gerwyn Price in the Semi-Final and beat Michael van Gerwen 8-3 in the Final.

Absolutely stunning.

 

[dangie]

This may seem trivial but I hope they win. Absolutely no respect for their fans.

Two Madonna fans are suing the US singer for being late by more than two hours for a show last month in New York.

Madonna sued by fans in New York over late concert start time

Two fans say the New York show started more than two hours late and did not end until after 01:00.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Sun Chariot]

This may seem trivial but I hope they win. Absolutely no respect for their fans.

Two Madonna fans are suing the US singer for being late by more than two hours for a show last month in New York.

Madonna sued by fans in New York over late concert start time

Two fans say the New York show started more than two hours late and did not end until after 01:00.

www.bbc.co.uk

Maybe she was travelling there on a Pompey-Cardiff GWR....

(ducks for cover)

 

[dangie]

Maybe she was travelling there on a Pompey-Cardiff GWR....

(ducks for cover)

She must have used it quite a bit…..

‘The court papers also say Madonna "has a long history of arriving and starting her concerts late, sometimes several hours late", citing examples including "her 2016 Rebel Heart Tour, her 2019-2020 Madame X Tour, and prior tours, where Madonna continuously started her concerts over two hours late".

 

[Peter Mugridge]

As per the image below off the BBC News website this morning, the Japanese Moon probe has landed on its nose.

I guess this is, quite literally, a satnav fail...

Here's the link, with a quote below the screenshot: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68091389

Japan's Moon lander ended up on its nose when it made its historic touchdown on the lunar surface.
The first picture of the stricken Slim spacecraft shows it rotated 90 degrees from how it should have come to rest.
This will go some way to explaining the difficulties it has had in generating the electricity needed to operate.
The image was captured by the small baseball-sized robot called Sora-Q that was ejected from Slim moments before touchdown last Saturday.
"An abnormality in the main engine affected the landing attitude of the spacecraft," the Japanese space agency Jaxa said in a statement.
It seems one of the two big thrusters on Slim (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) stopped working during the descent.