Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

News monkey: A simian slant on last week's news ...

Tim Dowling
Saturday 30 January 1999 20:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

t MONKEY NEWS. Allegations of torture and physical abuse always arouse deep feelings of indignation and outrage in the British. This week is no exception, although Pinochet, Milosevic, IRA punishment brigades and Yemeni interrogators have all had to queue up for their fair share of opprobrium behind convicted monkey spanker Mary Chipperfield. Now we are told the evil Chipperfield wants her monkey back so she can beat it some more, and the campaign to save little Trudy, the Primate of All England's Hearts is gearing up. News Monkey's own campaign will concentrate on raising funds to extradite Mary Chipperfield to Gibraltar.

t TORY PURGE. William Hague's sudden desire to get Michael Howard off the front benches comes just 20 months after most of Britain had the same idea, proving that he really is starting to get the hang of things. Unfortunately Hague's own popularity is at minus 28 per cent, a number which, while it may well be as meaningless as it sounds, is going to be a difficult statistic to massage. One could perhaps point out that Hague's unpopularity stands at a mere 28 per cent, or that his continued presence as Tory leader proves that politics is more than just a popularity contest. It's no use, but it helps to pass the time.

t CAMO BOY. The recent arrest of a camouflage-bedecked 10-year-old at a Barbados airport, apart from arming trivia buffs with the knowledge that wearing camouflage is against the law in Barbados, proves that Fashion Police, if properly trained, can provide a valuable public service. Arresting children for style crimes may seem a little Draconian, but how many of today's fashion victims might have been saved by a short sharp shock when they were young?

t CHARLES AND CAMILLA. Now that Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have publicly proclaimed their undying devotion by standing next to each other, the way is clear for further rationalisation of their top secret 26-year affair. If progress continues at this rate we may witness their romantic wedding handshake before the decade is out.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in