This is Northumberland Calling 30.6.23

The Paris is burning and Macron went to see Elton John edition

While Paris erupted into protests (largely  peaceful as the saying goes), Macron decided to attend an Elton John concert and posed with the singer/songwriter. Macron has been accused of being out of touch as Paris continues to be bathed in fighting, burning, and people manning the barricades. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/france-protests-paris-riots-shooting-nahel-n6fmk3sw8 or https://archive.is/NZF0c

Thames Water became swamped in a sewage infested tidal wave of debt(£14 billion) and the chief executive has resigned. It is thought the largest water company in Britain could be renationalized as a result. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mps-summon-thames-water-chiefs-to-explain-companys-14bn-debt-56t0z0x3q

The  Telegraph revealed that a teenaged boy had been arrested for series of sexual assaults at an Essex school, including three in a mixed sex toilet block. It emerged that the school in question had never done any sort of risk assessment on the possibility. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/29/essex-school-alleged-sex-attack-jk-rowling-same-sex-toilets/  or https://archive.is/QBolz

Ireland will review puberty blockers in the light of England’s decision to severely limit their use to strictly controlled research only. https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2023/06/27/use-of-puberty-blockers-in-childrens-gender-service-to-be-reviewed/

Denise Fahmy who sued the Arts Council England for discrimination due to her Gender Critical beliefs has won her case for harassment.  In the UK, these beliefs are protected, contrary to what companies and a number of NGO think. Eventually companies, councils, NGOs, schools and universities will catch up with that fact, even though it may cost some of them. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/27/gender-critical-feminist-harassment-arts-council-trans-row/  or https://archive.is/Q1cEh

A British Army colonel is now suing the Army, claiming he was forced out due to his gender critical beliefs after he posted a quote from Helen Joyce on his private Facebook account and was subjected to a secret complaints process. This is a man with an unblemished record of service and bravery, including two tours of Afghanistan. The Free Speech Union are supporting. Because of the Denise Fahmy result (see above), I suggest that the Army may wish to settle. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/29/colonel-forced-out-of-army-after-saying-men-cant-be-women/ or https://archive.is/5KGE5

The Head of the RAF has been forced to apologise after it was determined that the RAF did in fact discriminate against white men in their recruitment and promotion practices. They have already paid out money to the men, but this is a public apology from the Head of the RAF for his illegal behaviour.  The RAF has accepted the report’s recommendations in full, including this public apology. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/raf-chief-apologies-for-discriminating-against-white-men-b6nq9xlds or https://archive.is/TanNK

Women’s sports are in danger from transwomen (biological males) because the advantages of male puberty can not be overcome. This affects biological females at all levels of sport. British Rowing still have not issued their new policy – their consultation in May had two options for males – keep the level of Testosterone at 5 nanos or decrease it to 2.5 in line with World Rowing and the female option – make an open category and a biological female category.  They have not revealed their decision and women protested at Henley this week . The Henley Regatta which is part of the Social Scene is one of the premiere world rowing events and features many colleges and universities and clubs from the US as well as the UK and around the world. https://heartheboatsing.com/2023/06/27/henley-womens-regatta-and-saving-rowing-for-women/

The world’s oldest pizza – a newly uncovered fresco from Pompeii shows a proto-pizza next to a goblet of wine and some dates. What did the Romans ever do for us? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/27/world-oldest-pizza-pompeii/ or https://archive.is/JCamW

In news closer to home, Harlequin have offered me another contract. My editor loved what I had done with the revised partial. I now must deliver the full by 6 November.

Finally a Public Service Announcement: If you are a writer, illustrator or translator who is a resident  of  the UK, do check your book list on the British Library website as today (30 June) is the last day to register for Public Lending Right for this year. You can do a search on your name and exclude any titles you have already registered. I did this and found many different editions which I did not realise were eligible.  PLR is a small sum of money which authors, illustrators and translators get for each book, audible, or ebook which is taken out of a British library. It dates from when the private circulating libraries were enfolded into the public library system and is a recognition that authors, illustrators etc did spend time creating these works.  Other countries (but sadly not the US) also run similar schemes.