Pete Armstrong

Pete Armstrong

@pete11.bsky.social

Retired IT, follow tech, investing and science-related subjects. Crystal Palace fan. Rugby & cricket.

369 followers149 following3.7K posts

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

The Golden Era is way in the past and we're back in survival mode. 10 managers since 2013 (Pulis). The best one wasn't supported. We had ages to find OG's replacement now we have no time. #cpfc

Pete Armstrong reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Pete Armstrong reposted

Paul Lewis
@paullewismoney.bsky.social

Whatever these advisers are they are not IFAs (Independent Financial Advisers) if they place the funds with their owner! bit.ly/3VT8gYg They are restricted advisers and motivated by incentives. Avoid them! It is very misleading to abbreviate Financial Adviser as IFA

bit.lyMass roll-up of IFAs raises questions over pension-pot transfersPrivate capital firms’ consolidation of financial advisers has drawn scrutiny over payments when clients’ savings are moved into the buyers’ own funds

Pete Armstrong reposted

Lady Macbeth
@notinstructed.bsky.social

Press freedom is apparently sacrosanct when Reform excludes journalists, but negotiable when Badenoch’s own party does. A magnificent display of moral flexibility from someone lecturing others on democratic principles.

Adam Bienkov@adambienkov.bsky.social

The utter shamelessness of Kemi Badenoch boasting at Conservative party conference about 'defending press freedom' and berating Reform for banning critical journalists from their conference, just days after banning Byline Times journalists from her own

Pete Armstrong reposted

Mark Norman
@mark60.bsky.social

Replying to @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social

Now that James Orr has been forced to step down from his role at Reform UK, perhaps the rest of the media will, belatedly, wake up to the story unearthed by @bylinetimes.bsky.social about what he’s been up to at Cambridge.

Pete Armstrong reposted

HOPE not hate
@hopenothate.org.uk

Replying to @hopenothate.org.uk

And the biggest howler: Reform’s geniuses in Kent were apparently able to repaint a fence, trim the verge, plant grass seed (and get it to grow instantly), redo the pavement and repave the road all so quickly that the car in the top-right corner didn’t move an inch! Amazing!

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

What is the UK Govt and western allies going to say about this? You cannot sit on your hands - or can you? @theguardian.com @channel4news.bsky.social

Al Jazeera English@aljazeera.com

In an address at West Jerusalem’s Gush Katif Museum, Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Yosef denied that Palestinians exist as a people and said they ‘have no rights’. He also claimed Gaza and occupied West Bank cities for Jews and called for Gaza’s destruction and Jewish settlement.

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

The #BBCNews spends the same amount of time on adverts as #SkyNews - except they produce no revenue as they only advertise their own programs. Time to review model?

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

Palace have had a lack of goals for many seasons now and this may eventually be their downfall unless addressed urgently. If Sarr is to leave, please someone explain where the goals are going to from? #cpfc

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

Palace 'targets' dropping like flies and joining other teams. Time keeps running ..⌛ #cpfc

David Ornstein@david-ornstein.bsky.social

🚨 Charlie Cresswell set to take medical on Sunday ahead of joining Rennes from Toulouse. Agreement €2.5m loan fee + buy obligation €22.5m + €3m & 10% future sale. 5yr #StadeRennais deal upon permanent - would be 2nd highest #Toulouse sale 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

nytimes.comRennes agree deal to sign Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell in transfer worth up to €28mRennes will pay a loan fee of €2.5million with an obligation to buy the centre-back next summer for a fixed €22.5m.
Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

Looks like Lacroix off to Chelsea for £52m/£55m (depending on source). Does that mean Palace will be selling in World Cup and Euros years when players mix with other club players on International duty? Could club comment on strategy to fans? Club very silent on matter. #cpfc

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

World Cup Americanised ... pre-game show, hydration breaks, half-time show may be longer than usual half-time and winners get a ring (think Superbowl Ring) ... oh, and a little football.

WIRED@wired.com

Organizers want the show to be the most-viewed halftime show in history. Having Shakira, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and BTS will surely help—but do soccer fans want it? www.wired.com/story/fifa-w...

wired.comFIFA’s World Cup Halftime Show Puts American-Style Spectacle on the World StageOrganizers want the show to be the most-viewed halftime show in history. Having Shakira, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and BTS will surely help—but do soccer fans want it?

Pete Armstrong reposted

Reuters
@reuters.com

A protest group called The Secret Handshake placed a giant gold “Iran war participation trophy” for President Trump on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

@theguardian.com @channel4news.bsky.social Time to act now, stop supporting the wrong side. #LabourParty

Declassified UK@declassifieduk.org

Our investigation caught Shivat Zion on camera offering to help UK citizens move to an illegal Israeli settlement. Shivat Zion were then photographed at an event in London. The government has still not imposed sanctions on the Israeli group. www.declassifieduk.org/uk-politicia...

declassifieduk.orgUK politicians call for sanctions on Israeli charityDemands follow Declassified investigation, which revealed how Shivat Zion touted ‘awesome’ illegal settlements
Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

Has the football world gone crazy or just Infantino? It has lost a tournament identity. Keep this idea for April 1 next year. Gianni Infantino delivers new update on 64-team World Cup plans for 2030 share.google/Htc6KegzHa1q...

share.googleGianni Infantino delivers new update on 64-team World Cup plans for 2030FIFA president Gianni Infantino has reiterated he is keen for the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco to have 64 teams. This would add an extra 16 nations into the tournament, where there…
Pete Armstrong
@pete11.bsky.social

#cpfc

Bobby Manzi@bobbymanzi.bsky.social

🦅 Exclusive: Crystal Palace transfer briefing 🇺🇸 Richards' contract talks latest 🗣️ Chelsea yet to contact Palace over Lacroix 🇫🇷 #CPFC relaxed about Mateta’s future 🧤 Henderson set for contract discussions 👋 Rak-Sakyi expected to depart ✔️ Summer profiles identified

dailymail.comPalace transfer briefing: The three signings they want this summerPalace have indicated that they have learnt from last summer's mistakes. Their squad was under-equipped to compete in both the Premier League and Conference League, with the latter prioritised.

Pete Armstrong reposted

Jessica D. M. 🇺🇦 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇵🇦 🇬🇱 🪃 🟧
@jessicaperthwa.bsky.social

#Auspol @albomp.bsky.social We struggle to have enough water for our agriculture sector and supply water to Australians as is. Let's learn by this NO Data centres for Australia unless they are run by renewables and use water via desalination plants. Water in Australia is our most valuable resource

James Hughes@dystopian-fashion.bsky.social

A massive Georgia data center drained nearly 30 million gallons of water, sparking outrage among local residents asked to conserve water during a drought. Residents of Fayetteville, Georgia, first noticed something was wrong when their home water pressure mysteriously plummeted.

Pete Armstrong reposted

Peter Stefanovic
@peterstefanovic.bsky.social

PLEASE DON’T FALL FOR IT

Peter Stefanovic@peterstefanovic.bsky.social

You’re daily reminder Nigel Farage wants to - leave the ECHR - repeal the Equality Act - Strip back workers rights - Lift restrictions on exploitative zero-hours contracts - repeal the Renters’ Rights Act which abolishes “no fault evictions” PLEASE DON’T FALL FOR IT youtu.be/KxOQRt8PQys?...

youtu.beIf UK media actually explained Nigel Farage’s policies to the public no one would be supporting himYouTube video by Peter Stefanovic