'Join the Queue'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"The House of Commons reconvenes on Tuesday to elect the speaker, after which MPs, old and new, will be officially sworn in, a process that can take several days."

https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/jul/06/labour-starmer-rig...

"Each of these pre-eminent technologies shaped the societies that they enveloped. Print shaped the world for four and a half centuries, followed by broadcast, which ruled for 50 years or so. None of this would have surprised a biologist, who would see human culture as something that grows in an enveloping nutrient. Change the nutrient and you change the culture that grows in it."

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jun/29/closing-th...

"To make things worse, we also invented a technology that enables every Tom, Dick and mad Harry to publish whatever they like on opaque global platforms, which are incentivised to propagate the wildest nonsense. And to this we have now added powerful tools (called AI) that automate the manufacture of misinformation on an epic scale. If you were a malign superpower that wanted to screw up the democratic world, you’d be hard put to do better than this."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9gOQgfPW4Y

"Starmer’s first session answering prime minister’s questions, probably with Rishi Sunak putting the questions as leader of the opposition, has been pencilled in for 24 July, the week after the state opening of parliament on 17 July."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/07/commons-334-roo...

11 Comments

'Time for a few Zeds'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"Still, I suppose there are a lot of unemployed ex-Tory MPs, so maybe they might like to retrain for the construction industry. I can just see Liz Truss as a plasterer. Jacob Rees-Mogg as a chippy."

Cottingham Day...

"The curfew announcement comes as Naidoc week celebrations kick off in the town of about 25,000, attracting about 5,000 visitors from across the NT, Western Australia and South Australia."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/08/less-is-more-ke...

lol

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8807nkvy2lo

"It is the second time a precious item has been taken from the caverns, after the fossilised tooth of an extinct shark was stolen last year."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUL_yawY6Ks

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2024/nov/08/kids-these...

A 'Search for Spook'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"A week on Saturday, the Conservatives will elect their new leader. Rishi Sunak, a symbol of what went before, will finally exit the stage and his successor will enter it - and so become one of the central characters of the years ahead. And on Wednesday, the highly anticipated and long talked about Budget will be published."

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/25/astronaut-hospitalized-n...

"He was at his most animated when I put it to him that his party seemed to be struggling to adjust to the realities of government."

https://ynygrowthhub.com/

"Before we know it, though, the long schlep home will begin – via Hawaii, California and Winnipeg - and Westminster’s tilt towards the Budget will become total."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCARADb9asE

"If they are out of work, learners are guaranteed a job interview with an employer after completing a Skills Bootcamp."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c774xjz3m7do

""And for that to be stolen… it’s absolutely terrible.""

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF1qfLMczNo

"Sandwiched between the soil and permafrost lie unusual metre-thick ponds of very salty water known as cryopegs, which are underlain by crystalised methane-water solids, kept stable by the high pressure and low temperature."

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/23/terrawatch-mystery-of-si...

"Quantum computers promise to solve problems too hard for even the most powerful supercomputers - like those requiring vast numbers of parallel computations like complex weather simulations, the binding of drugs to their targets, or the vagaries of financial markets."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/25/state-backed-loans-firms-i...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbuFLUJ89Kw

"So he got out and said to Sir George 'I was hired to drive a coach not to fly your contraptions', and handed in his notice."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7481gev0k3o

'Remember, she did everything backwards and in heels.'

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/oct/24/thanks-to-this-unsung-magi...

Little Ears.

'Climate Moderation'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"The root of the problems with the OSA is that it was framed and enacted by legislators who think that the “internet” consists only of the platforms of a small number of huge tech corporations. So they passed a statute that supposedly would deal with these corporate miscreants – without imagining what the unintended consequences would be on the actual internet of people using the technology for genuinely social purposes. And in doing so they have inadvertently raised the question famously posed by Alexander Pope in 1735 in his letter to Dr Arbuthnot: “Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?”"

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/24848641.york-north-yorkshire-can-tackl...

“We’ve already helped about 30 farmers build resilience and improve biodiversity so they can be much more environmentally-friendly."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDMCwSP5nf0

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/12/note-to-no-10-one-...

'Reserve Designs'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"The Royal Mint had announced that the author of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm and Coming Up for Air is to be honoured on a new £2 coin to coincide with the 75th anniversary of his death."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99y0mp7p44o

"All these projects highlight one vivid point: that places not only need their own journalism, but can provide the audiences to support it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/12/tech-barons-bbc-pl...

Never, Mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyFAnA9oPRE

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jan/11/why-we-cant-get-eno...

'Welcome, Approaches'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"As if he knows he can’t help making even the most interesting subjects just a wee bit dull. What should be engaging too frequently dies on the tongue. It’s his cross to bear. Integrity he can do with ease. Enthusiasm takes a little longer."

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/13/ai-keir-starmer-sketch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMQegMnHIJ4

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/13/space-junk-rockets...

"Circular solutions include reuse, repair, recycling, eco-design, sustainable supply and responsible consumption."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zx8t9ty

Wheel Barrows.

lol

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7zg9xkyl3o

'Heritage Locomotives'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"Our products are essential to the continued operation of heritage locomotives, and nobody else makes what we make. Without our oilers, these magnificent machines would face costly and potentially unfeasible conversions. Our mission is to keep them running for future generations to enjoy.""

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/25/vinyl-carver-lathe-cutters...

"One guy just looked up from the ice-cream momentarily and went back to his selection. Fresh people kept coming in to the shop. It’s amazing how fast an atmosphere can be determined, yet how little it interrupts anyone’s plans. “Weird vibe. Ah, heist in progress. But I still need hummus.”"

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/25/starmers-message-after-...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8_fLu2yrP4

"I’m not saying the bandits have a point, just that banditry is where we are"

https://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/24954788.armstrong-oilers-unsung-he...

"Our mission is to keep them running for future generations to enjoy.""

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4apyYG5My0

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/26/what-i-have-learne...

'Soft Landings'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"The SpaceX Dragon capsule will make a fast and fiery re-entry through the Earth’s atmosphere, enduring temperatures of up to 1,600C. A heatshield will protect Butch, Suni and the two other astronauts they are travelling with, as they sit inside the capsule.

As the craft hits the atmosphere, it starts to rapidly slow and the astronauts will experience significant g-forces, about four times Earth’s gravity. Finally, four large parachutes will open up – with a jolt for those inside – but this then allows the craft to slow down enough for a gentle splashdown in the ocean.  Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, made the ride home in a Soyuz capsule during her visit to space in 1991. She said the thrilling ride would be worth it."

https://newsthump.com/2025/03/17/woman-wondering-if-she-might-own-too-ma...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZjO45RJZjo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9de6q52g8qt

"In a statement they said performing arts organisations depend on a “fragile ecosystem” of freelancers who rely on copyright to sustain their livelihoods. They also urged the government to support the “moral and economic rights” of the creative community in music, dance, drama and opera."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KAqRiWUwz4

Imagine... wondering where you were.

'Flaming Typical'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he was listening to the calls of protestors but suggested the city was "doing more here than anywhere else to support people facing homelessness"."

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2025/mar/20/scatt...

Hmmm ...

""Stick some red spots on that and it would look like Toad from Mario Kart, wouldn't it?"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyrpyk5re8o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0eBiw6lg8

Daisy Dukes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3YyUcU6lU0

Bless.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62x110p392o

 

'Daffodils'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

That's the Spring Statement sorted :

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/25/pete-hegseth-journ...

Extract your own...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdphvuyaV_I

Just setting the Tone.... ;-0

""This moment demands an active government stepping up to secure Britain's future... We need to go further and faster to kickstart growth, protect national security and make people better off through our plan for change.""

Dunno why we have to have two statements... economies grow on certainties.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAZQaYKZMTI

Recessions? Moi? They thrive on organised chaos.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy83dp70773o

"As a Signaller you’ll need to react to changing situations, make quick decisions and stay calm under pressure. Every day, you’ll face new challenges, some you expect and others you don’t. This could be responding to an incident such as trespassers on the line; you could be taking a line blockage to allow track access for maintenance colleagues, or communicating with a train driver about a problem they’ve encountered."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG1NrQYXjLU

Apparently they are looking for more cybersecurity apprentices too... '-0

""For the Lakes this was an epic landscape conservation story covering almost 150 years before the modern protection of the National Park," a spokesman said."

Velcro.

"“It doesn’t hurt to have an executive member of North Yorkshire Council who can go back and talk to their colleagues on that executive.”"

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/25/rachel-reeves-for-the-um...

lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF6JZsOv5BM

Keir Starmer says communities have spoken on 'fracking' and the answer is No.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2025/mar/26/spring-statement-ra...

Oh. 

"It has now set up and is monitoring a series of traps with cameras in an attempt to coax the tiny dog out of a very large search area, Gardner told Guardian Australia."

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/26/miniature-dachshu...

Bones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-max0wOTcuI

All the best things are Human.

A Smile A Day?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuOQXSyFcP0

I was just wondering what Variant we are all on now..

""If in doubt, say nowt" is how you might colloquially describe the approach, resisting the temptation to be drawn into commentary about the president's actions for fear of provoking a blast of his ire."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jp6n82k4xo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKktu7j2j3A

Keep Busy.

"“There’s one of us objecting to it and then the AGC brings two KCs and a solicitor,” says Kelcher."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/04/uk-gambling-firms-adopt-...

"Under the Gambling Act 2005, Labour’s landmark liberalisation of gambling laws that successive governments have begun to roll back, the Gambling Commission and local authorities must “aim to permit” gambling, meaning they are legally bound to err on the side of permissiveness."

Extract Your Own.

'Social Fonts'

Submitted by Captain Qalypso on

"“Just how long it will take to get back to normal is something that [the national grid operator] Red Eléctrica still can’t say for sure,” he said. “There has never been a drop to zero in the system before and the idea now is to keep on with the progressive and prudent restoration of the supply to avoid any setbacks over the coming hours.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/power-begins-to-return-to-...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekr2nIex040

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5r9xxv6xo

Oh that Iberia ... best not mention nobbly Knee contests.