Iccy, I have always considered that PNR and LPSD are different. LPSD is an offtrack PNR ie to a place off track. PNR, by definition, is the point of no return to the place of departure.
That sounds reasonable to me. I had a dig through some old notes and text books and came across the phrase "off track PNR" but LPSD works just as well.
A rose by any other name...
Etops is basically a planning exercise.
Once you dispatch you make the best decision you can with the available information and time available.
I tend to agree with this sort of KISS philosophy.
The important point in this incident is that it appears they had an engine operating at idle, thereby supplying services, versus an IFSD. Two different beasts. I look forward to reading more.