A local resident expressed his concern that they “have been bitterly disappointed” as the bypass facility failed to resolve the traffic problem.
The new traffic measures, introduced in West Blackwood last summer, have signally failed to persuade motorists not to use the narrow main street as a short cut.
George Livesey, of 16 High Street, West Blackwood said: “You still take your life in your hands when you try to cross High Street, the main road through the village. We all held out so much hope when the bypass opened, but we have been bitterly disappointed.
“These mad drivers make it so hazardous, especially for young mums pushing prams and loaded with shopping.”
The West Blackwood Residents' Association intend to monitor the traffic flow through the village for the next four weeks, and will report their findings at an extraordinary general meeting, which will invite representatives of Kirkbrook Council and the police.
The association hopes to be able to prove to the authorities the need for “Access only” signs at each end of the village and for frequent police checks to catch those drivers blatantly ignoring the restrictions.
The reason that bypass has succeeded in East Blackwood but not in ours, the association says because our main road is still the shortest route for drivers travelling between the western suburbs of Kirkbrook and the industrial estate and mainline railway station to the north, and the bypass route is an inconvenience for them.
Councillor Herbert Prescot, member for West Blackwood on Kirkbrook Council, said: “I share the residents' worries. My 12-year-old granddaughter was narrowly missed by someone careering down in High Street in a Porsche.”
Richard Gough, chairman of East Blackwood Community Association said: “I can quite understand how Bryan and his members feel about this. Personally I am prepared to support their campaign and I feel sure many of our members would do the same.”
(318 words)
Thursday 31 December 2009
Tennis courts to be replaced with horrifying car park
A tennis champion urged “the courts should be maintained” after the local council revealed its plan to turn the tennis courts into a car park.
Upbrooke Tenis Club, with its five municipal tennis courts on Northgate Way, is facing to be replaced with a car park for 200 vehicles, including coaches.
Jeanette Brooke, Women's county tennis champion said: “I learned to play on these courts and with the general reduction in sporting facilities of all types in the area, it is vital the courts should be maintained and their use promoted effectively.
"Tennis is a great way to fitness for people of all ages.”
The club, unusually having its tennis facilities so close to the business and shopping centre, is due to celebrate its centenary this year but is now horrified by the council's plan.
They campaigned at the shopping centre to gather supporters' signatures, and so far have already obtained nearly 900 responses.
Supporters who added their names for supporting Upbrooke's petition are those from all sporting interests, or who are worried about the nature of the development and the loss of sports facilities.
Sir Rodney Anstruther sold the courts to the council last century aiming for “pursuit of pleasure and recreation.”
Andrew Anderson, 26, of 16 Ebony Avenue, Upbrooke said: “I'm really a football fan but I was happy to sign the petition.”
Councillor Roland Laurence, chairman of Upbrooke Council's planning committee said: “We are a responsible planning authority and we have to consider all the option.
“With the growth of Upbrooke as a regional shopping centre, there is increasing pressure on parking space.
“Use of the courts has declined considerably in recent years and we know that Upbrooke Tennis Club now has fewer members than at any time except the Second World War.”
(322 words)
(Completion time: 46 min)
Upbrooke Tenis Club, with its five municipal tennis courts on Northgate Way, is facing to be replaced with a car park for 200 vehicles, including coaches.
Jeanette Brooke, Women's county tennis champion said: “I learned to play on these courts and with the general reduction in sporting facilities of all types in the area, it is vital the courts should be maintained and their use promoted effectively.
"Tennis is a great way to fitness for people of all ages.”
The club, unusually having its tennis facilities so close to the business and shopping centre, is due to celebrate its centenary this year but is now horrified by the council's plan.
They campaigned at the shopping centre to gather supporters' signatures, and so far have already obtained nearly 900 responses.
Supporters who added their names for supporting Upbrooke's petition are those from all sporting interests, or who are worried about the nature of the development and the loss of sports facilities.
Sir Rodney Anstruther sold the courts to the council last century aiming for “pursuit of pleasure and recreation.”
Andrew Anderson, 26, of 16 Ebony Avenue, Upbrooke said: “I'm really a football fan but I was happy to sign the petition.”
Councillor Roland Laurence, chairman of Upbrooke Council's planning committee said: “We are a responsible planning authority and we have to consider all the option.
“With the growth of Upbrooke as a regional shopping centre, there is increasing pressure on parking space.
“Use of the courts has declined considerably in recent years and we know that Upbrooke Tennis Club now has fewer members than at any time except the Second World War.”
(322 words)
(Completion time: 46 min)
Monday 28 December 2009
Environmental scheme revives national significance
A councillor praised an environmental scheme initiated by the Rotary Club to mark its diamond jubilee for being running up to 60 years.
The project aims not only to restore a 170-year-old hide in Holme Park Wood, on the western outskirts of Ilworth, but also to initiate archaeological and biodiversity surveys of the wood and work to improve public access to the hide.
Andrew Nicolson, Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation Manager said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group.”
The last remaining stone-built hide erected by Victorian naturalist Sir Henry Swire, who also built up other six hides in the wood, but all except this one have long since been demolished.
The site has national significance because of Sir Henry's groundbreaking work as a naturalist both in this country and abroad.
He recorded 123 species of birds from his six hides as well as travelling to other parts of the world in a bid to find out more about the natural world.
The club will be working with the curator to bring new emphasis to Sir Henry's contribution to public' knowledge of the world's fauna.
Environmental officer Bill Ivanson for the Rotary Club of Ilworth said: “As I live near the wood, I have long been aware of the last remaining bird hide, which is in a very dilapidated condition.
“When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to martk our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this as a project.”
Rotarians will work closely with local schools, community groups and Ilworth Countryside Conservation Service to help with the work.
Colin Moran, head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school based projects."
(321 Words)
(Completion time: 52 minutes)
The project aims not only to restore a 170-year-old hide in Holme Park Wood, on the western outskirts of Ilworth, but also to initiate archaeological and biodiversity surveys of the wood and work to improve public access to the hide.
Andrew Nicolson, Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation Manager said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group.”
The last remaining stone-built hide erected by Victorian naturalist Sir Henry Swire, who also built up other six hides in the wood, but all except this one have long since been demolished.
The site has national significance because of Sir Henry's groundbreaking work as a naturalist both in this country and abroad.
He recorded 123 species of birds from his six hides as well as travelling to other parts of the world in a bid to find out more about the natural world.
The club will be working with the curator to bring new emphasis to Sir Henry's contribution to public' knowledge of the world's fauna.
Environmental officer Bill Ivanson for the Rotary Club of Ilworth said: “As I live near the wood, I have long been aware of the last remaining bird hide, which is in a very dilapidated condition.
“When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to martk our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this as a project.”
Rotarians will work closely with local schools, community groups and Ilworth Countryside Conservation Service to help with the work.
Colin Moran, head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school based projects."
(321 Words)
(Completion time: 52 minutes)
Friday 25 December 2009
Cathedral authorities in a bid to improve community facilities
A councillor confirmed the cathedral authorities will have council's full support for its refurbishing arrangement and praised its outreach projects such as helping young people to fulfil their potential.
Eddingham Cathedral authorities was in a bid to gain £4million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its first step refurbishment as well as the services it will offer to the community.
Councillor Mrs Olive Marchant from Eddingham Council cabinet member for education said: “The cathedral authorities will have our full support in developing and extending their outreach projects. The Wilberforce Centre has a supremely dedicated team of workers who have already done great deal to help young people outside mainstream education.”
The amount of expenses used to the community improvement depends directly on the fabric of the building.
Disenchanted or alienated youngsters acted as vandals to attack the building frequently.
On Friday nigh a gang of four youths pushed in a 1920s stained glass window so it shattered on the cathedral floor.
This latest incident, which will cost the authorities more than 2,000 to put it right, is only one of a number that have occurred over the past few weeks.
The authorities believe such youngsters need the right encouragement to become good citizens, which is one of the objectives of their outreach initiative based at the Wilberforce Centre in Smythe Street, Eddingham.
The Cathedral have submitted a bid to the HLF for £100, 000 with which they plan to kick-off the major revamp.
The Fund has already awarded £3.3billion to projects that open up the nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy.
Rev Nigel Bankes, director of the Wilberforce Centre said: “We have already made various attempts to establish worthwhile contacts with some of the young people who gather in the cathedral precinct but a more concerted effort is required, backed up by improved facilities at the centre. We hope these will come with the Lottery Fund project.”
(320 words)
(Completion time: 62 min)
Eddingham Cathedral authorities was in a bid to gain £4million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its first step refurbishment as well as the services it will offer to the community.
Councillor Mrs Olive Marchant from Eddingham Council cabinet member for education said: “The cathedral authorities will have our full support in developing and extending their outreach projects. The Wilberforce Centre has a supremely dedicated team of workers who have already done great deal to help young people outside mainstream education.”
The amount of expenses used to the community improvement depends directly on the fabric of the building.
Disenchanted or alienated youngsters acted as vandals to attack the building frequently.
On Friday nigh a gang of four youths pushed in a 1920s stained glass window so it shattered on the cathedral floor.
This latest incident, which will cost the authorities more than 2,000 to put it right, is only one of a number that have occurred over the past few weeks.
The authorities believe such youngsters need the right encouragement to become good citizens, which is one of the objectives of their outreach initiative based at the Wilberforce Centre in Smythe Street, Eddingham.
The Cathedral have submitted a bid to the HLF for £100, 000 with which they plan to kick-off the major revamp.
The Fund has already awarded £3.3billion to projects that open up the nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy.
Rev Nigel Bankes, director of the Wilberforce Centre said: “We have already made various attempts to establish worthwhile contacts with some of the young people who gather in the cathedral precinct but a more concerted effort is required, backed up by improved facilities at the centre. We hope these will come with the Lottery Fund project.”
(320 words)
(Completion time: 62 min)
Silton bogus organic food crackdown
The Soil Association encourages local residents to “report dubious traders”, who duped shoppers for selling “not genuine” organic food.
Sidston Trading Standards Department has launched an inquiry into the sale of ordinary labelled as more costly organic products.
A spokesman for the Soil Association said: “We would ask people to report dubious traders, either to us or Trading Standards. Shoppers should be able to have confidence in all the genuine traders in organic produce, whether it is vegetables, fruit, bread or meat.”
Organic meat can sell for up to five times as much as obtained from an animal which has been reared using conventional methods.
For example an ordinary chicken worth £2-£3 can sell for £10 - £11 if it is labelled as organic, and beefsteak can be sold more than £29 per kg as organic while £10 - £15 per kg for ordinary ones.
But most shoppers have no way of telling if they have been duped.
A spokesman for the Trading Standards Institute said: “We have believed for some time there are some strange things happening in the organic food market. The problem is that it is very difficult to see any physical difference organic and conventional meat.”
The inquiries will begin this week with visits to markets where meat will be removed for testing using the new system devised on behalf of the Food Standards Agency.
Spot checks will be continued on a regular basis and traders suspected of fraud will be brought before the courts.
They face fines of up to £5,000 for each offence if they are found guilty.
Lawrence Platt, an organic beef farmer at Westfield, a village five miles from Sidston said: “I fully support this campaign and there are some of us who can point the finger at traders we believe might be trying to pull the wood over the public's eyes. They deserve whatever they get. It's a scam that must be stopped.”
(321 words)
(Completion time: 50 min)
Sidston Trading Standards Department has launched an inquiry into the sale of ordinary labelled as more costly organic products.
A spokesman for the Soil Association said: “We would ask people to report dubious traders, either to us or Trading Standards. Shoppers should be able to have confidence in all the genuine traders in organic produce, whether it is vegetables, fruit, bread or meat.”
Organic meat can sell for up to five times as much as obtained from an animal which has been reared using conventional methods.
For example an ordinary chicken worth £2-£3 can sell for £10 - £11 if it is labelled as organic, and beefsteak can be sold more than £29 per kg as organic while £10 - £15 per kg for ordinary ones.
But most shoppers have no way of telling if they have been duped.
A spokesman for the Trading Standards Institute said: “We have believed for some time there are some strange things happening in the organic food market. The problem is that it is very difficult to see any physical difference organic and conventional meat.”
The inquiries will begin this week with visits to markets where meat will be removed for testing using the new system devised on behalf of the Food Standards Agency.
Spot checks will be continued on a regular basis and traders suspected of fraud will be brought before the courts.
They face fines of up to £5,000 for each offence if they are found guilty.
Lawrence Platt, an organic beef farmer at Westfield, a village five miles from Sidston said: “I fully support this campaign and there are some of us who can point the finger at traders we believe might be trying to pull the wood over the public's eyes. They deserve whatever they get. It's a scam that must be stopped.”
(321 words)
(Completion time: 50 min)
Tuesday 22 December 2009
EcoBin containers launched to recover street litter
Community recyclers organiser confirms “the containers will be highly visible that the man or woman in the street can't miss” and it will help recover the street litter across the Ardingham district.
From this week special recycling bins are to be placed at points in Ardingham town centre for the collection of newspapers, cans and plastic bottles prior to a full scheme implementation across the district.
Steven Gills, Cash for Trash organiser said: “We work closely with the council on various waste issues but it is a brilliant idea to raise the profile of recycling in this way. The containers will be highly visible and will be placed in locations that the man – or woman – in the street can't miss.”
The organisation, who work in partnership with the council, will locally collect and bale the materials emptied from the bins using a 7.5 tonne caged tipper vehicle.
The EcoBin containers are made by Cambrol Ltd and each contains a 240-litre wheeled bin.
The new bins will be launched at 11am on Friday in Ardingham Market Square by Councillor Bryan Davies.
He said: “For the past year council neighbourhood patrollers and enforcement officers have had the powers to issue on-the-spot fines to those who drop litter. While this had had an impact on the problem, how much better if trash can be turned into cash to benefit the wider community.”
The bins will mainly be sited in busy shopping areas to maximise the amount of street litter that can be captured.
Additional locations have also been identified where high volumes of street litter are generated, such as railway stations, bus stations and local parks and recreational areas.
Mrs Yvonne Hensby, proprietor of The Starlight Takeaway in Market Square said: “Recycing bins won't solve the problem of discarded food but if it does something to reduce the numbers of plastic bottles and cans that get thrown away in The Square, it will be great.”
(325 words)
(Completion time: 49 minutes)
From this week special recycling bins are to be placed at points in Ardingham town centre for the collection of newspapers, cans and plastic bottles prior to a full scheme implementation across the district.
Steven Gills, Cash for Trash organiser said: “We work closely with the council on various waste issues but it is a brilliant idea to raise the profile of recycling in this way. The containers will be highly visible and will be placed in locations that the man – or woman – in the street can't miss.”
The organisation, who work in partnership with the council, will locally collect and bale the materials emptied from the bins using a 7.5 tonne caged tipper vehicle.
The EcoBin containers are made by Cambrol Ltd and each contains a 240-litre wheeled bin.
The new bins will be launched at 11am on Friday in Ardingham Market Square by Councillor Bryan Davies.
He said: “For the past year council neighbourhood patrollers and enforcement officers have had the powers to issue on-the-spot fines to those who drop litter. While this had had an impact on the problem, how much better if trash can be turned into cash to benefit the wider community.”
The bins will mainly be sited in busy shopping areas to maximise the amount of street litter that can be captured.
Additional locations have also been identified where high volumes of street litter are generated, such as railway stations, bus stations and local parks and recreational areas.
Mrs Yvonne Hensby, proprietor of The Starlight Takeaway in Market Square said: “Recycing bins won't solve the problem of discarded food but if it does something to reduce the numbers of plastic bottles and cans that get thrown away in The Square, it will be great.”
(325 words)
(Completion time: 49 minutes)
Survey reveals public fear towards crime
A Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator in Yeltham praised the survey “went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before” to reveal the fact that the public's fear towards the increasing crime.
The findings show 68 per cent of respondents worried about their car being broken into while 72 per cent were afraid of being burgled.
Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “As a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator as well as association chairman, I welcomed this survey, which went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before.”
In order to reduce pensioners' fear of being robbed at their doorway while answering strangers, the Yeltham Neighbourhood Watch Federation and Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel have decided to organise a bulk purchase of 1,000 door safety chain, which will be fitted free to the front doors of pensioners who want them.
Jeffrey Steele, chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The Neighbourhood Watch Federation had our full support for this survey, which was the most thorough of its sort ever undertaken in Yeltham.
“It highlighted the fears of some of our widely varying communities and has allowed us to identify one particular problem where we believe we can help.”
Some residents also expressed their concern on vandalism, noisy youngsters hanging about on street at night and creating problems, as well as fear of being attacked and robbed when going out alone after dark in their own community.
The survey was undertook by the Federation in conjunction with Crime Prevention Panel.
The Federation links the 474 Neighbourhood Watches and each co-ordinator has responsibility for a Watch covering, which means about 9,500 householders are members.
Chief Insp Aantony Wardell, of Yeltham Police, said: “We shall be studying the results of the survey with considerable interest. Fear of Crime, as distinct from crime itself, is also an important issue because this can impact equally on people's lives. It is important to allay unnecessary fears.”
(325 words)
(Completion time:62 minutes)
The findings show 68 per cent of respondents worried about their car being broken into while 72 per cent were afraid of being burgled.
Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “As a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator as well as association chairman, I welcomed this survey, which went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before.”
In order to reduce pensioners' fear of being robbed at their doorway while answering strangers, the Yeltham Neighbourhood Watch Federation and Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel have decided to organise a bulk purchase of 1,000 door safety chain, which will be fitted free to the front doors of pensioners who want them.
Jeffrey Steele, chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The Neighbourhood Watch Federation had our full support for this survey, which was the most thorough of its sort ever undertaken in Yeltham.
“It highlighted the fears of some of our widely varying communities and has allowed us to identify one particular problem where we believe we can help.”
Some residents also expressed their concern on vandalism, noisy youngsters hanging about on street at night and creating problems, as well as fear of being attacked and robbed when going out alone after dark in their own community.
The survey was undertook by the Federation in conjunction with Crime Prevention Panel.
The Federation links the 474 Neighbourhood Watches and each co-ordinator has responsibility for a Watch covering, which means about 9,500 householders are members.
Chief Insp Aantony Wardell, of Yeltham Police, said: “We shall be studying the results of the survey with considerable interest. Fear of Crime, as distinct from crime itself, is also an important issue because this can impact equally on people's lives. It is important to allay unnecessary fears.”
(325 words)
(Completion time:62 minutes)
Thursday 17 December 2009
Cameras expansion in a bid to clamp down crime
A council officer reassures the local residents “need have no fear that Big Brother is watching them” and the latest CCTV expansion in Oveston is only to boost community safety.
Ten high-resolution cameras are set to be installed in Gradham town on Friday in a bid to clamp down anti-social behaviour, increasing violence and rowdyism.
Neal Simmonds, Oveston Council's CCTV controller, said: “The resident of Gradham need have no fear that Big Brother is watching them and there will be no intrusion into their private lives.”
Andrew Slator, chairman of Gradham Chamber of Trade, said: “We have been plagued by young hoodies and gangs of shoplifters and we hope the cameras will help deter and detect the culprits.”
The system will be used in conjunction with the police and help alert control room staff to shoplifters or anti-social behaviour, triggering an immediate response from the council's patrollers and policing team.
The cameras can make sure lone females' safety at night by enabling staff in the control rooms to oversee their walk on the street.
It also enables operators to spot accidents and arrange a necessary action when seeing someone has been taken ill and collapsed.
Chief Superintendent Francis Collison of the Oveston Police, said: “Throughout the district about 90 arrests are being made every month using CCTV. We expect the rate of arrest in Gradham town centre to go up as a result of the new cameras – so troublemakers, drug dealers and criminals should be warned.”
Doug Elmsall, chairman of Gradham Licensed Victuallers' Association, said: “Landlords and club owners have been struggling in the face of growing public order problems and we need all the help we can get. Let's hope those willing to make trouble will now think twice.”
The system was launched in Oveston town centre in 1998, funded by a Home Office grant and donations from local businesses.
(311 words)
Ten high-resolution cameras are set to be installed in Gradham town on Friday in a bid to clamp down anti-social behaviour, increasing violence and rowdyism.
Neal Simmonds, Oveston Council's CCTV controller, said: “The resident of Gradham need have no fear that Big Brother is watching them and there will be no intrusion into their private lives.”
Andrew Slator, chairman of Gradham Chamber of Trade, said: “We have been plagued by young hoodies and gangs of shoplifters and we hope the cameras will help deter and detect the culprits.”
The system will be used in conjunction with the police and help alert control room staff to shoplifters or anti-social behaviour, triggering an immediate response from the council's patrollers and policing team.
The cameras can make sure lone females' safety at night by enabling staff in the control rooms to oversee their walk on the street.
It also enables operators to spot accidents and arrange a necessary action when seeing someone has been taken ill and collapsed.
Chief Superintendent Francis Collison of the Oveston Police, said: “Throughout the district about 90 arrests are being made every month using CCTV. We expect the rate of arrest in Gradham town centre to go up as a result of the new cameras – so troublemakers, drug dealers and criminals should be warned.”
Doug Elmsall, chairman of Gradham Licensed Victuallers' Association, said: “Landlords and club owners have been struggling in the face of growing public order problems and we need all the help we can get. Let's hope those willing to make trouble will now think twice.”
The system was launched in Oveston town centre in 1998, funded by a Home Office grant and donations from local businesses.
(311 words)
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Newly installed cameras bring safety to our town
New cameras will be installed in Gradham town centre in a bid to prevent anti-social behaviour, reduce crime and boost community safety.
The ten high-resolution cameras will bring a greater level of security to Gradham, in the Oveston district, where there have been increased levels of drug dealing, violence and rowdyism.
Andrew Slator, chairman of Gradham Chamber of Trade, said: “ Town centre crime in Gradham has been of increasing concern over the past couple of years. We have been pushing for some time to get these cameras installed and we are delighted they will be up and running this week.
“We have been plagued by young hoodies and gangs of shoplifters and we hope the cameras will help deter and detect the culprits, who have been costing traders a great deal of money.”
The new system will be used in conjunction with the police. During the day the cameras an alert control room staff to shoplifters, anti-social behaviour, or triggering an immediate response from the Council's Neighbourhood Patrollers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
It can also make sure local residents' life safety, pick up on things such as lone females walking on her own at night, as well spotting accidents and arranging rescuing action.
Chief Superintendent Francis Collison, Divisional Commander, Oveston Police, said: “Throughout the district about 90 arrest are being made every month using CCTV.
“We expect the rate of arrest in Gradham town centre to go up as a result of the new cameras – so troublemakers, drug dealer and criminals should be warned.”
Neal Simmonds, Oveston Council's CCTV controllers, said: “The CCTV system will only be used to enhance community safety, reduce crime and the fear of crime, and deter anti-social behaviour.
“The residents of Gradham need have no fear that Big Brother is watching them and there will be no intrusion into their private lives.”
(313 words)
(Completion time: 41 minutes)
The ten high-resolution cameras will bring a greater level of security to Gradham, in the Oveston district, where there have been increased levels of drug dealing, violence and rowdyism.
Andrew Slator, chairman of Gradham Chamber of Trade, said: “ Town centre crime in Gradham has been of increasing concern over the past couple of years. We have been pushing for some time to get these cameras installed and we are delighted they will be up and running this week.
“We have been plagued by young hoodies and gangs of shoplifters and we hope the cameras will help deter and detect the culprits, who have been costing traders a great deal of money.”
The new system will be used in conjunction with the police. During the day the cameras an alert control room staff to shoplifters, anti-social behaviour, or triggering an immediate response from the Council's Neighbourhood Patrollers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
It can also make sure local residents' life safety, pick up on things such as lone females walking on her own at night, as well spotting accidents and arranging rescuing action.
Chief Superintendent Francis Collison, Divisional Commander, Oveston Police, said: “Throughout the district about 90 arrest are being made every month using CCTV.
“We expect the rate of arrest in Gradham town centre to go up as a result of the new cameras – so troublemakers, drug dealer and criminals should be warned.”
Neal Simmonds, Oveston Council's CCTV controllers, said: “The CCTV system will only be used to enhance community safety, reduce crime and the fear of crime, and deter anti-social behaviour.
“The residents of Gradham need have no fear that Big Brother is watching them and there will be no intrusion into their private lives.”
(313 words)
(Completion time: 41 minutes)
A thief steals a ring for the sake of love (second copy)
A thief broke into an elderly couple's house stealing a ring to propose to his girlfriend.
David Squires, who resides at 21, Spring Avenue, Upper Southwood of Newtown, was accused of stealing a ring from an old couple's house at the Garden Drive area at 12am Sunday morning for winning his girlfriend's love back.
Judge Simmons, from the Newtown Crown Court said to the defendant: “You must be one of the most stupid, simple-minded, reckless human beings it has ever been my misfortune to see in my court.”
Mr Squires and Ms Donna, aged 20, were childhood sweethearts and have formed their romantic relationship over the last 12 months.
The couple had lived together in Mr Squires home in Newtown before Ms Donna returning back to her family home in Midhampton followed by a serious row.
While Mr Squires on his way to Ms Donna's house at 11pm Saturday night hoping to convince her to give their relationship another go and make his proposal, he thought it would be nice if he could bring a ring to show his honesty.
The 22-year-old then got off at Flowerhaven around 11:45pm and selected Rose Cottage as his potential target nearby.
Mr Squires forced to open the back door using a Swiss Army knife and padded around downstairs for a while.
He then went upstairs and using his own torch singled out a chest of drawers, from where he found a jewellery box containing a ring, then he took the ring and made his way off it.
Prosecutor David Self said: “This was a despicable, dishonest and dishonourable crime. It is our contention that Squires was fairly-well equipped to carry out this crime before he even left his hourse in Newtown.
“This was, therefore, a premeditated, planned and callous act carried out by a man who has absolutely no regard for property and personal privacy.”
The defence Ms Jessica Land said: “It was not premeditated and he only committed it in the mistaken belief that it would win him Donna's love.
“He was driven by love, not dishonesty.”
(347 words)
(Completion time: one hour and an half)
David Squires, who resides at 21, Spring Avenue, Upper Southwood of Newtown, was accused of stealing a ring from an old couple's house at the Garden Drive area at 12am Sunday morning for winning his girlfriend's love back.
Judge Simmons, from the Newtown Crown Court said to the defendant: “You must be one of the most stupid, simple-minded, reckless human beings it has ever been my misfortune to see in my court.”
Mr Squires and Ms Donna, aged 20, were childhood sweethearts and have formed their romantic relationship over the last 12 months.
The couple had lived together in Mr Squires home in Newtown before Ms Donna returning back to her family home in Midhampton followed by a serious row.
While Mr Squires on his way to Ms Donna's house at 11pm Saturday night hoping to convince her to give their relationship another go and make his proposal, he thought it would be nice if he could bring a ring to show his honesty.
The 22-year-old then got off at Flowerhaven around 11:45pm and selected Rose Cottage as his potential target nearby.
Mr Squires forced to open the back door using a Swiss Army knife and padded around downstairs for a while.
He then went upstairs and using his own torch singled out a chest of drawers, from where he found a jewellery box containing a ring, then he took the ring and made his way off it.
Prosecutor David Self said: “This was a despicable, dishonest and dishonourable crime. It is our contention that Squires was fairly-well equipped to carry out this crime before he even left his hourse in Newtown.
“This was, therefore, a premeditated, planned and callous act carried out by a man who has absolutely no regard for property and personal privacy.”
The defence Ms Jessica Land said: “It was not premeditated and he only committed it in the mistaken belief that it would win him Donna's love.
“He was driven by love, not dishonesty.”
(347 words)
(Completion time: one hour and an half)
Thursday 10 December 2009
A thief steals a ring for the sake of love
Court Reporting (from NCTJ press release sample):
A thief broke into a resident's house stealing a ring for the sake of love.
David Squires, who resides at 21, Spring Avenue, Upper Southwood of Newtown, has been suspended a two-year jail sentence after the trial.
The 22-year-old was told to be suspended for a period of one year.
Judge Simmons, from the Newtown Crown Court said to the defendant: "You must be one of the most stupid, simple-minded, reckless human beings it has ever been my misfortune to see in my court. "
Mr Squires was charged with theft on the 20th October, 2008.
Mr David Self, from the prosecuting team, said the defendant took the 11pm night bus on Saturday from Newtown, and then got off at Flowerhaven at around 1.45pm.
He then walked a short distance from the bus stop to the Garden Drive area, and chose Rose Cottage as his potential target.
Mr Squires forced open the back door using a Swiss Army knife, and then found a jewellery box containing a ring in the upstairs bedroom which belongs to an old couple by using his own torch.
He then took the ring and made his way off it.
Ms Jessica Lang, from the defending team, said that the reason for Mr Squires to steal the ring from the old couple's house at the Saturday night is because he desperately wanted to win his girlfriend's love back.
Mr Squires and Ms Donna, aged 20, were childhood sweetheart and have formed their romantic relationship ove the last 12 months.
The coupld had lived together in Mr Squires' home in Newtown before Ms Donna retured back to her family home in Midhampton, because of a serious row.
While Mr Squire on his way to Donna's house for making his proposal, he thought it would be nice if he could bring a ring to show his honesty.
Therefore he had the idea for finding a ring to propose with, and he admitted his action was wrong and crazy.
(333 words)
A thief broke into a resident's house stealing a ring for the sake of love.
David Squires, who resides at 21, Spring Avenue, Upper Southwood of Newtown, has been suspended a two-year jail sentence after the trial.
The 22-year-old was told to be suspended for a period of one year.
Judge Simmons, from the Newtown Crown Court said to the defendant: "You must be one of the most stupid, simple-minded, reckless human beings it has ever been my misfortune to see in my court. "
Mr Squires was charged with theft on the 20th October, 2008.
Mr David Self, from the prosecuting team, said the defendant took the 11pm night bus on Saturday from Newtown, and then got off at Flowerhaven at around 1.45pm.
He then walked a short distance from the bus stop to the Garden Drive area, and chose Rose Cottage as his potential target.
Mr Squires forced open the back door using a Swiss Army knife, and then found a jewellery box containing a ring in the upstairs bedroom which belongs to an old couple by using his own torch.
He then took the ring and made his way off it.
Ms Jessica Lang, from the defending team, said that the reason for Mr Squires to steal the ring from the old couple's house at the Saturday night is because he desperately wanted to win his girlfriend's love back.
Mr Squires and Ms Donna, aged 20, were childhood sweetheart and have formed their romantic relationship ove the last 12 months.
The coupld had lived together in Mr Squires' home in Newtown before Ms Donna retured back to her family home in Midhampton, because of a serious row.
While Mr Squire on his way to Donna's house for making his proposal, he thought it would be nice if he could bring a ring to show his honesty.
Therefore he had the idea for finding a ring to propose with, and he admitted his action was wrong and crazy.
(333 words)
“Get your hands dirty” on wildlife protection
Wildlife Trust encourages local residents to “get your hands dirty” and says to be involved in a wildlife protection project will be a rewarding experience.
The organisation, with 25 years experience in working with protecting all types of vulnerable wildlife – plants as well as birds and animals, aims to help secure the future of many important habitats and species.
Mrs Isobel Travers, a nature reserve volunteer, of 16 Park Road, Valeham, said: “I didn't have any experience when I volunteered, but I was given all the training that was needed. It's been a really wonderful experience and I now understand what nature reserve management is all about – and it means being willing to get your hands dirty!
“The People at the Wildlife Trust are really dedicated to what they do and they deserve the support of the Whole community.”
As some of us recognise that cemeteries are an important part of this picture, next month, the Trust will launch a Living Churchyards Project through which the organisation will undertake biological surveys, and provide advice to people who manage churchyards, and burial spaces throughout the area.
David Endwright, Valeham Council's Cemeteries and Crematoria manager, said: “Our cemeteries contain much of the district's history but it is also good to have them recognised as an environmental and wildlife resource. One of our staff has been designated a liaison officer to the Wildlife Trust, with whom we are only too happy to co-operate. "
In order to carry out these work, the Trust is now recruiting volunteers and it would like to hear from anyone who might be interested and who has the appropriate skills, especially botanical knowledge.
At the same time, the organisation also have volunteers vacancies in other areas of activity, from the Running Wild project, fund raising, office work to publicity.
For more information please go to their website at www.valehamwildlifetrust.org.uk or call them on Valeham 876998.
(318 words)
The organisation, with 25 years experience in working with protecting all types of vulnerable wildlife – plants as well as birds and animals, aims to help secure the future of many important habitats and species.
Mrs Isobel Travers, a nature reserve volunteer, of 16 Park Road, Valeham, said: “I didn't have any experience when I volunteered, but I was given all the training that was needed. It's been a really wonderful experience and I now understand what nature reserve management is all about – and it means being willing to get your hands dirty!
“The People at the Wildlife Trust are really dedicated to what they do and they deserve the support of the Whole community.”
As some of us recognise that cemeteries are an important part of this picture, next month, the Trust will launch a Living Churchyards Project through which the organisation will undertake biological surveys, and provide advice to people who manage churchyards, and burial spaces throughout the area.
David Endwright, Valeham Council's Cemeteries and Crematoria manager, said: “Our cemeteries contain much of the district's history but it is also good to have them recognised as an environmental and wildlife resource. One of our staff has been designated a liaison officer to the Wildlife Trust, with whom we are only too happy to co-operate. "
In order to carry out these work, the Trust is now recruiting volunteers and it would like to hear from anyone who might be interested and who has the appropriate skills, especially botanical knowledge.
At the same time, the organisation also have volunteers vacancies in other areas of activity, from the Running Wild project, fund raising, office work to publicity.
For more information please go to their website at www.valehamwildlifetrust.org.uk or call them on Valeham 876998.
(318 words)
Monday 16 November 2009
Neighbourhood Watch in a bid to reduce crime
A Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator has praised the survey system on crime that “went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before”.
The system encourages residents to swiftly report suspicious activities, to look out for one another and to protect their properties from crime.
Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “As a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator as well as association chairman, I welcomed this survey, which went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before.”
The Federation links 474 Neighbourhood Watches in the most residential areas of Yeltham.
Every co-ordinator has responsibility for a watch covering about 20 homes on average, which means about 9,500 householders are members.
In conjunction with Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, the Federation undertook a survey in which co-ordinators distributed a questionnaire to their Watch members, almost all of whom agreed to take part.
Jeffrey Steele, Chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The Neighbourhood Watch Federation had our full support for this survey, which was the most thorough of its sort ever undertaken in Yeltham.”
Both of the Federation and Crime Prevention Panel are very concerned about the number of pensioners, who said they were worried about answering the door to strangers for fear of being robbed at home or perhaps being conned or browbeaten into buying something they did not want.
As a result, the two organisations have decided to organise a bulk purchase of 1,000 door safety chains, which will be fitted free to the front doors of pensioners who want them.
Gerald Parkins said: “Pensioners on this estate are very fearful and there are two members of our committee who are skilled workmen and would be willing to provide their time free of change to fit door chains.”
(291 words)
The system encourages residents to swiftly report suspicious activities, to look out for one another and to protect their properties from crime.
Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “As a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator as well as association chairman, I welcomed this survey, which went far beyond anything of this sort attempted locally before.”
The Federation links 474 Neighbourhood Watches in the most residential areas of Yeltham.
Every co-ordinator has responsibility for a watch covering about 20 homes on average, which means about 9,500 householders are members.
In conjunction with Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, the Federation undertook a survey in which co-ordinators distributed a questionnaire to their Watch members, almost all of whom agreed to take part.
Jeffrey Steele, Chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The Neighbourhood Watch Federation had our full support for this survey, which was the most thorough of its sort ever undertaken in Yeltham.”
Both of the Federation and Crime Prevention Panel are very concerned about the number of pensioners, who said they were worried about answering the door to strangers for fear of being robbed at home or perhaps being conned or browbeaten into buying something they did not want.
As a result, the two organisations have decided to organise a bulk purchase of 1,000 door safety chains, which will be fitted free to the front doors of pensioners who want them.
Gerald Parkins said: “Pensioners on this estate are very fearful and there are two members of our committee who are skilled workmen and would be willing to provide their time free of change to fit door chains.”
(291 words)
Saturday 7 November 2009
Supermarket expansion as a "monstrosity"
NCTJ News Writing Exam
By Yixiang Zeng
Question 1
A councillor has condemned a plan for supermarket expansion as a “monstrosity”.
Two weeks ago, Andersons Supermarkets applied for planning permission to move the petrol station from its present position about 55 metres from Bridge Road to the junction of the site’s access road and Bridge Road itself.
Councillor Norman Patricks said: “This plan would be an aesthetic disaster. To stick the filling station and a monstrosity of a car wash opposite Bridge Road Methodist Church is ridiculous.”
Andersons claims the new plans are designed to reconfigure the car park for the benefit of customers.
However, they have now added a huge automated car wash - the vast barn-like building, which would be wide enough to take two cars going through each of two washers at the same time.
Bill Raybould, of 12 Bridge Road, West Newtown, said: “I look out of my front window and can see the supermarket. I am very suspicious that Andersons are trying to pave the way for further expansion. If they get permission for this, I feel sure it won’t be long before the old application for a superstore resurfaces.”
Andersons wants to move the filling station to a corner, where the trees and bushes have now grown to an extent, which originally intended to mask the site from the view of residents and passing vehicles.
Now the greenery would be removed to the detriment of the visual amenity, which combines with the car wash, would finally ruin the appearance of the area, according to West Newtown Community Association.
A spokesman for Andersons said: “We dispute suggestions that this proposal would create traffic hazards. Indeed, we believe it would make the complex safer and easier for customers to use. It would help reduce the congestion created on the site by motorists who at present have to drive into it even when they want only petrol.”
(311 words)
By Yixiang Zeng
Question 1
A councillor has condemned a plan for supermarket expansion as a “monstrosity”.
Two weeks ago, Andersons Supermarkets applied for planning permission to move the petrol station from its present position about 55 metres from Bridge Road to the junction of the site’s access road and Bridge Road itself.
Councillor Norman Patricks said: “This plan would be an aesthetic disaster. To stick the filling station and a monstrosity of a car wash opposite Bridge Road Methodist Church is ridiculous.”
Andersons claims the new plans are designed to reconfigure the car park for the benefit of customers.
However, they have now added a huge automated car wash - the vast barn-like building, which would be wide enough to take two cars going through each of two washers at the same time.
Bill Raybould, of 12 Bridge Road, West Newtown, said: “I look out of my front window and can see the supermarket. I am very suspicious that Andersons are trying to pave the way for further expansion. If they get permission for this, I feel sure it won’t be long before the old application for a superstore resurfaces.”
Andersons wants to move the filling station to a corner, where the trees and bushes have now grown to an extent, which originally intended to mask the site from the view of residents and passing vehicles.
Now the greenery would be removed to the detriment of the visual amenity, which combines with the car wash, would finally ruin the appearance of the area, according to West Newtown Community Association.
A spokesman for Andersons said: “We dispute suggestions that this proposal would create traffic hazards. Indeed, we believe it would make the complex safer and easier for customers to use. It would help reduce the congestion created on the site by motorists who at present have to drive into it even when they want only petrol.”
(311 words)
Thursday 5 November 2009
Julius Baer separated its entities for better serving their clients
by Yixiang Zeng
Julius Baer decided to separate its Private Banking and Asset Management businesses into two fully independent entities, both individually listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The move will increase the two companies' strategic flexibility and enhance their market visibility. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter 2009, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Julius Baer Group Ltd, as a leading pure-play private banking group, will stand to benefit from private clients' increasing level of demand for its services. This group will maintain the expansion of its international network and complete the shift of its services and product model towards an 'open architecture' philosophy.
GAM Holding Ltd, will be offering a broad, well diversified range of equity and fixed income investment funds, discretionary portfolios management services and alternative investments. As a stand-alone entity, the business will be able to accelerate the development of its international institutional and US distribution franchise.
The planned separation will conclude the gradual operational independence. It has been afforded to the two business segments since the implementation of the pure financial holding company principle in 2007.
Raymond J. Baer, Chairman of Julius Baer Holding Ltd, commented: “We are very pleased with our new strategic direction. In light of the challenges that many financial services business models are confronted with currently, we are convinced that both entities will benefit from their sharpened focus and the absence of competing interests, thus acting pro-actively in the best interest of all of our stakeholders.”
Julius Baer decided to separate its Private Banking and Asset Management businesses into two fully independent entities, both individually listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The move will increase the two companies' strategic flexibility and enhance their market visibility. The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter 2009, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Julius Baer Group Ltd, as a leading pure-play private banking group, will stand to benefit from private clients' increasing level of demand for its services. This group will maintain the expansion of its international network and complete the shift of its services and product model towards an 'open architecture' philosophy.
GAM Holding Ltd, will be offering a broad, well diversified range of equity and fixed income investment funds, discretionary portfolios management services and alternative investments. As a stand-alone entity, the business will be able to accelerate the development of its international institutional and US distribution franchise.
The planned separation will conclude the gradual operational independence. It has been afforded to the two business segments since the implementation of the pure financial holding company principle in 2007.
Raymond J. Baer, Chairman of Julius Baer Holding Ltd, commented: “We are very pleased with our new strategic direction. In light of the challenges that many financial services business models are confronted with currently, we are convinced that both entities will benefit from their sharpened focus and the absence of competing interests, thus acting pro-actively in the best interest of all of our stakeholders.”
Barings Multi-Asset Portfolios win clients' favour during the economic downturn
by Yixiang Zeng
Barings Multi-Asset Portfolios strategies meet the investment needs of private clients during the recession by beating its target over five years.
Recent figures show their Private Client and Charity multi-asset targeted return portfolios have hit a 10.6 annualised total return within the last five years up to 30th September 2009. The achievement beats the target of PRI +4.5%, which has returned 7.5% over the same time period.
Barings has one of the industry's longest running track records regarding multi-asset investing, offering diversification with a targeted return for over six years. The multi-asset portfolio strategies include the institutional Baring Dynamic Asset Allocation fund. In addition, the portfolio includes segregated mandates for Barings' Private Clients and Charities.
“The success of this investment style is the result of dynamic asset allocation coupled with skilful stock-picking by the Multi-Asset team,” said Quintin Ings-Chambers, director, Private Clients at Barings, “Our multi-asset approach aims to deliver equity-like returns with less risk than holding an equity-only portfolio.”
According to Percival Stanion, head of asset allocation at Barings, he commented that their asset allocation strategy has proved successful over the past few months with a high weighting in UK and European equities.
They have benefited from the European equity rally, and they are also apprehensive about Europe's prospects for growth while the currency is so strong. He then concludes that excellent portfolios performance are also due to the surge in gold prices.
Barings Multi-Asset Portfolios strategies meet the investment needs of private clients during the recession by beating its target over five years.
Recent figures show their Private Client and Charity multi-asset targeted return portfolios have hit a 10.6 annualised total return within the last five years up to 30th September 2009. The achievement beats the target of PRI +4.5%, which has returned 7.5% over the same time period.
Barings has one of the industry's longest running track records regarding multi-asset investing, offering diversification with a targeted return for over six years. The multi-asset portfolio strategies include the institutional Baring Dynamic Asset Allocation fund. In addition, the portfolio includes segregated mandates for Barings' Private Clients and Charities.
“The success of this investment style is the result of dynamic asset allocation coupled with skilful stock-picking by the Multi-Asset team,” said Quintin Ings-Chambers, director, Private Clients at Barings, “Our multi-asset approach aims to deliver equity-like returns with less risk than holding an equity-only portfolio.”
According to Percival Stanion, head of asset allocation at Barings, he commented that their asset allocation strategy has proved successful over the past few months with a high weighting in UK and European equities.
They have benefited from the European equity rally, and they are also apprehensive about Europe's prospects for growth while the currency is so strong. He then concludes that excellent portfolios performance are also due to the surge in gold prices.
Saturday 31 October 2009
Story brainstorming on "disabled people in China"
What Stephen Hallett talked about:
1).One plus one cultural exchange centre
2).How westerner, including himself go to China helping with the disabled people.
3).Disabled Chinese do not expose themselves in public places, and they hide at home, said a Chinese lady during the free talk session. In this case, people around these disabled Chinese have no clue how to help them out.
4).Sichuan earthquake left hundreds of thousands people disabled. What the Chinese government do to help improve their condition? What the westerners do to help improve their conditions?
5).Apart from China Vision, other western organisations in China's activities.
6).Disabled girl was in a hurry to be married off by her parent.
7).Implement anti-discrimination law for disabled people – the law in China right now is deemed to be controvercial from western point of view.
8).Importing western remedy to help disabled Chinese – Victorian Era institutionalism
9).Chinese healthcare service
10). Golden Key – first NGO in China for disabled people.
1).One plus one cultural exchange centre
2).How westerner, including himself go to China helping with the disabled people.
3).Disabled Chinese do not expose themselves in public places, and they hide at home, said a Chinese lady during the free talk session. In this case, people around these disabled Chinese have no clue how to help them out.
4).Sichuan earthquake left hundreds of thousands people disabled. What the Chinese government do to help improve their condition? What the westerners do to help improve their conditions?
5).Apart from China Vision, other western organisations in China's activities.
6).Disabled girl was in a hurry to be married off by her parent.
7).Implement anti-discrimination law for disabled people – the law in China right now is deemed to be controvercial from western point of view.
8).Importing western remedy to help disabled Chinese – Victorian Era institutionalism
9).Chinese healthcare service
10). Golden Key – first NGO in China for disabled people.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Humble cocoa trade flourishes in the recession (second copy)
By Ariadne Zanella and Yixiang Zeng
The latest economic forecast for Britain’s economy suggests the green shoots have wilted but trade in the humble cocoa bean is flourishing.
High-end bespoke chocolate sales have skyrocketed according to chocolatiers who gathered at the UK’s first Chocolate Show yesterday.
The Lauden Chocolatier said since the recession more people choose to buy raw chocolate ingredients cooking home-made gourmet desserts instead of dinning out in an expensive restaurant or consuming luxury trip within the UK or abroad.
Companies like Sir Hans Sloane, whose customers include the King of Spain, have reported profit increases by 30% while start up companies are expanding after only a year in operation.
The reason behind the boom is in the mood-enhancing properties and consumer desire for the “warm hug” that the rush of endorphins give consumers, says Hans Sloane chocolatier Bill McCarrick.
A bar of luxury chocolate at Hans Sloane can fetch £2.50 but punters are happy to part with their cash.
Emma and Lydia, from Bromley spent £14 at the Lauden Chocolate stand, Emma said: “I always love to try different kinds of chocolate, this particular one gets passion fruit as its ingredients."
Lydia then added: “The recession does not affect our desire to buy chocolate. It is healthy with no artificial colourings and flavours in it."
At a time when competition is fierce and companies face economic ruin there is a strong collegiate approach among the bespoke chocolate makers.
Businesses refer customers to their competitors if they feel the customer’s requirements would be better served there.
The reasons behind the conviviality are not entirely altruistic: they are united by the desire to edge out foreign companies and promote local business.
The latest economic forecast for Britain’s economy suggests the green shoots have wilted but trade in the humble cocoa bean is flourishing.
High-end bespoke chocolate sales have skyrocketed according to chocolatiers who gathered at the UK’s first Chocolate Show yesterday.
The Lauden Chocolatier said since the recession more people choose to buy raw chocolate ingredients cooking home-made gourmet desserts instead of dinning out in an expensive restaurant or consuming luxury trip within the UK or abroad.
Companies like Sir Hans Sloane, whose customers include the King of Spain, have reported profit increases by 30% while start up companies are expanding after only a year in operation.
The reason behind the boom is in the mood-enhancing properties and consumer desire for the “warm hug” that the rush of endorphins give consumers, says Hans Sloane chocolatier Bill McCarrick.
A bar of luxury chocolate at Hans Sloane can fetch £2.50 but punters are happy to part with their cash.
Emma and Lydia, from Bromley spent £14 at the Lauden Chocolate stand, Emma said: “I always love to try different kinds of chocolate, this particular one gets passion fruit as its ingredients."
Lydia then added: “The recession does not affect our desire to buy chocolate. It is healthy with no artificial colourings and flavours in it."
At a time when competition is fierce and companies face economic ruin there is a strong collegiate approach among the bespoke chocolate makers.
Businesses refer customers to their competitors if they feel the customer’s requirements would be better served there.
The reasons behind the conviviality are not entirely altruistic: they are united by the desire to edge out foreign companies and promote local business.
Sunday 25 October 2009
Humble cocoa trade flourishes in the recession
The latest economic forecast for Britain’s economy suggests the green shoots have wilted but trade in the humble cocoa bean is flourishing.
High-end bespoke chocolate sales have skyrocketed according to chocolatiers who gathered at the UK’s first Chocolate Show yesterday.
Companies like Sir Hans Sloane, whose customers include the King of Spain, have reported profit increases by 30% while start up companies are expanding after only a year in operation.
Point about people buying quality raw ingredients and using it to cook homemade gourmet desserts.
LINKING SENTENCE
The reason behind the boom is in the mood-enhancing properties and consumer desire for the “warm hug” that the rush of endorphins give consumers, says Hans Sloane chocolatier Bill McCarrick.
A bar of luxury chocolate at Hans Sloane can fetch £2.50 but punters are happy to part with their cash.
Emma and Lydia, from Bromley spent £14 at the Lauden Chocolate stand, Emma said: “I always love to try different kinds of chocolate, this particular one gets passion fruit as its ingredients."
Lydia then added: “The recession does not affect our desire to buy chocolate. It is healthy with no artificial colourings and flavours in it."
At a time when competition is fierce and companies face economic ruin there is a strong collegiate approach among the bespoke chocolate makers.
Businesses refer customers to their competitors if they feel the customer’s requirements would be better served there.
The reasons behind the conviviality are not entirely altruistic: they are united by the desire to edge out foreign companies and promote local business.
High-end bespoke chocolate sales have skyrocketed according to chocolatiers who gathered at the UK’s first Chocolate Show yesterday.
Companies like Sir Hans Sloane, whose customers include the King of Spain, have reported profit increases by 30% while start up companies are expanding after only a year in operation.
Point about people buying quality raw ingredients and using it to cook homemade gourmet desserts.
LINKING SENTENCE
The reason behind the boom is in the mood-enhancing properties and consumer desire for the “warm hug” that the rush of endorphins give consumers, says Hans Sloane chocolatier Bill McCarrick.
A bar of luxury chocolate at Hans Sloane can fetch £2.50 but punters are happy to part with their cash.
Emma and Lydia, from Bromley spent £14 at the Lauden Chocolate stand, Emma said: “I always love to try different kinds of chocolate, this particular one gets passion fruit as its ingredients."
Lydia then added: “The recession does not affect our desire to buy chocolate. It is healthy with no artificial colourings and flavours in it."
At a time when competition is fierce and companies face economic ruin there is a strong collegiate approach among the bespoke chocolate makers.
Businesses refer customers to their competitors if they feel the customer’s requirements would be better served there.
The reasons behind the conviviality are not entirely altruistic: they are united by the desire to edge out foreign companies and promote local business.
Friday 9 October 2009
True Blue co-author says it is worse being married (second copy)
Newly edited one:
A new book was launched at the Cobden Club, near Westbourne Park, last night by co-authors Chris Horrie and David Matthews.
Writing "True Blue, Strange Tales from a Tory Nation" was no easy ride. Two left leaning journalists - a white and a black – joined Tory campaigns and pretended to be party members just for narrating what the Tory Nation is all about.
David admitted co-authoring was a challenging experience. “We were fighting all the time, it was so hard for both of us narrating the book in a consistent tone,” he said, “it is worse than being married.
As a result of such problems, Chris Horrie, eventually wrote the book alone.
Despite their differences, the pair were fascinated by the Tories. Back in 2004, the political campaigns and election processes made such an impression on them that they even imagined creating their own political party. Eventually they joined the Tory campaigns and attended meetings, from where they got to know people's attitudes, mentality and political thinking.
Some guests showed confidence in David's work. Damien Wilson from Islington said: “I have read David's other books and really enjoyed them. The author is good at putting himself into the picture, though fundamentally he is outside of the story.”
When talking about how their journalistic background help them write a book, David said it is good for being a writer starting from a journalist, because you have got lots of skills already.
A new book was launched at the Cobden Club, near Westbourne Park, last night by co-authors Chris Horrie and David Matthews.
Writing "True Blue, Strange Tales from a Tory Nation" was no easy ride. Two left leaning journalists - a white and a black – joined Tory campaigns and pretended to be party members just for narrating what the Tory Nation is all about.
David admitted co-authoring was a challenging experience. “We were fighting all the time, it was so hard for both of us narrating the book in a consistent tone,” he said, “it is worse than being married.
As a result of such problems, Chris Horrie, eventually wrote the book alone.
Despite their differences, the pair were fascinated by the Tories. Back in 2004, the political campaigns and election processes made such an impression on them that they even imagined creating their own political party. Eventually they joined the Tory campaigns and attended meetings, from where they got to know people's attitudes, mentality and political thinking.
Some guests showed confidence in David's work. Damien Wilson from Islington said: “I have read David's other books and really enjoyed them. The author is good at putting himself into the picture, though fundamentally he is outside of the story.”
When talking about how their journalistic background help them write a book, David said it is good for being a writer starting from a journalist, because you have got lots of skills already.
True Blue co-author says it is worse being married
This story was interviewed on 30/09/2009 evening
A new book was launched at the Cobden Club, near Westbourne Park last night by co-authors Chris Horrie and David Matthews.
"True Blue, Strange Tales from a Tory Nation" was not born in an easy ride. Two left leaning journalists - a white and a black – joined Tory campaigns and pretended to be party members just for narrating what the Tory Nation is all about.
When speaking with some of the guests invited to the book launch night, Damien Wilson, from Islington said: “I have read David's other books and really enjoyed them. The author is good at putting himself into the picture, though fundamentally he is outside of the story.”
Back at the end of the 2004, David and Chris found the political campaigns and election processes were extremely fascinating. The pair even imagined to create their own political party. Eventually they joined the Tory campaigns and attended meetings, from where they got to know people's attitudes, mentality and political thinking.
Back at the end of the 2004, David and Chris found the political campaigns and election processes were extremely fascinating. The pair even imagined to create their own political party. Eventually they joined the Tory campaigns and attended meetings, from where they got to know people's attitudes, mentality and political thinking.
David also admitted it was a challenging experience working with the other author to produce the same book. He said: “we were fighting all the time, it was so hard for both of us narrating the book in a consistent tone. It is worse than being married. ”
The book was eventually depicted by Chris Horrie only, purely for consistency reason, David said.
When talking about how their journalistic background help them write a book, David said it is good for being a writer starting from a journalist, because you have got lots of skills already.
(257 words)
A new book was launched at the Cobden Club, near Westbourne Park last night by co-authors Chris Horrie and David Matthews.
"True Blue, Strange Tales from a Tory Nation" was not born in an easy ride. Two left leaning journalists - a white and a black – joined Tory campaigns and pretended to be party members just for narrating what the Tory Nation is all about.
When speaking with some of the guests invited to the book launch night, Damien Wilson, from Islington said: “I have read David's other books and really enjoyed them. The author is good at putting himself into the picture, though fundamentally he is outside of the story.”
Back at the end of the 2004, David and Chris found the political campaigns and election processes were extremely fascinating. The pair even imagined to create their own political party. Eventually they joined the Tory campaigns and attended meetings, from where they got to know people's attitudes, mentality and political thinking.
Back at the end of the 2004, David and Chris found the political campaigns and election processes were extremely fascinating. The pair even imagined to create their own political party. Eventually they joined the Tory campaigns and attended meetings, from where they got to know people's attitudes, mentality and political thinking.
David also admitted it was a challenging experience working with the other author to produce the same book. He said: “we were fighting all the time, it was so hard for both of us narrating the book in a consistent tone. It is worse than being married. ”
The book was eventually depicted by Chris Horrie only, purely for consistency reason, David said.
When talking about how their journalistic background help them write a book, David said it is good for being a writer starting from a journalist, because you have got lots of skills already.
(257 words)
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Critique of BBC learning Enghlish site
My first impression of the BBC Learning English website, in general, is that it is good.
However, I would prefer the colour level of the homepage to be a bit brighter and more colourful, as learning a foreign language sometimes can be extremely hard and tedious.
The site colour needs to be more eye-catching and stunning just to strike the browsers' attention . In addition, brighter colours usually lift a reader's spirit.
Having said this, I do understand that it is a corporate website which must be in compliance with the BBC's design guidance, so probably that is why the site looks fairly moderate.
Another point I want to refer to is that the page layout is inconsistent with recommended lay out standards. For example, at the bottom of the page, the three column lengths differ – some are shorter than the other. The leading web usability consultant Dr Jakob Nielsen lists this point as his top 10 Mistakes in Web Design.
One of the reasons I find this site absolutely useful, is because as English is my second language, I realise how someone can learn so many new words and expressions from the site.
I like the sections of “Words in the news” and “Specials – English for Journalist” because I am actually studying Broadcast Journalism – specialising Online journalism, currently I am also doing NCTJ newspaper certificate.
In terms of entertaining, I do realise the site tries hard to expand its multimedia dimension for interacting with its audience. For example, there are lots of listening materials online, as well as available for downloading.
There are the audio slide shows – The Flatmates teaches English learners casual English while entertaining them. Readers are able to leave comments which definitely follows web 2.0 concept.
I think it would be a good idea to get more interactivity online. For example, we could watch an English film and someone would explain us the interesting or important phrases and expressions in the film.
This could also apply for song lyrics, news and TV shows' from an English learning point of view. Audiences will enjoy the English learning process while being entertained.
In addition, I think these learning subjects should be expanded into a wider spectrum, such as travelling, literature and arts.
They could prove to be entertaining topics while being produced for English learning purpose. These subjects can be under an umbrella theme, for example let us say Britain is this month's umbrella theme, then design English learning programmes on British arts, British literature, and travelling in Britain.
Regarding the community section, my idea is to set up different foreign communities profiles under “Community”. For example the Polish, French and Japanese communities and so on.
Each week the editor Paul Scott or producers can decide one hot topic, such as religion, multiculturalism, diversity, politics, business, anything that is controversial and interesting, just let all the communities discuss it and debate on it.
People who participate in the debate must write in English. Mr Scott even can invite experts to give their views on each topic.
Different communities could be encouraged to update their profile in English, for example, someone from the Irish community may talk about his opinion on Irish voters backing the EU Lisbon treaty.
Someone from the Chinese community may update an article on how Chinese people celebrate the country's 60th anniversary, or maybe someone from the French community can upload a video of how he/she cooks a French cuisine and he/she explains it in English.
Another suggestion I want to make for the Community section is online blog must not have long paragraphs, they should be all short paragraphs with around 25 words each to comply with user-friendly rule of writing for the web.
These are my main thoughts on the BBC Learning English website, hope you find my suggestions helpful.
However, I would prefer the colour level of the homepage to be a bit brighter and more colourful, as learning a foreign language sometimes can be extremely hard and tedious.
The site colour needs to be more eye-catching and stunning just to strike the browsers' attention . In addition, brighter colours usually lift a reader's spirit.
Having said this, I do understand that it is a corporate website which must be in compliance with the BBC's design guidance, so probably that is why the site looks fairly moderate.
Another point I want to refer to is that the page layout is inconsistent with recommended lay out standards. For example, at the bottom of the page, the three column lengths differ – some are shorter than the other. The leading web usability consultant Dr Jakob Nielsen lists this point as his top 10 Mistakes in Web Design.
One of the reasons I find this site absolutely useful, is because as English is my second language, I realise how someone can learn so many new words and expressions from the site.
I like the sections of “Words in the news” and “Specials – English for Journalist” because I am actually studying Broadcast Journalism – specialising Online journalism, currently I am also doing NCTJ newspaper certificate.
In terms of entertaining, I do realise the site tries hard to expand its multimedia dimension for interacting with its audience. For example, there are lots of listening materials online, as well as available for downloading.
There are the audio slide shows – The Flatmates teaches English learners casual English while entertaining them. Readers are able to leave comments which definitely follows web 2.0 concept.
I think it would be a good idea to get more interactivity online. For example, we could watch an English film and someone would explain us the interesting or important phrases and expressions in the film.
This could also apply for song lyrics, news and TV shows' from an English learning point of view. Audiences will enjoy the English learning process while being entertained.
In addition, I think these learning subjects should be expanded into a wider spectrum, such as travelling, literature and arts.
They could prove to be entertaining topics while being produced for English learning purpose. These subjects can be under an umbrella theme, for example let us say Britain is this month's umbrella theme, then design English learning programmes on British arts, British literature, and travelling in Britain.
Regarding the community section, my idea is to set up different foreign communities profiles under “Community”. For example the Polish, French and Japanese communities and so on.
Each week the editor Paul Scott or producers can decide one hot topic, such as religion, multiculturalism, diversity, politics, business, anything that is controversial and interesting, just let all the communities discuss it and debate on it.
People who participate in the debate must write in English. Mr Scott even can invite experts to give their views on each topic.
Different communities could be encouraged to update their profile in English, for example, someone from the Irish community may talk about his opinion on Irish voters backing the EU Lisbon treaty.
Someone from the Chinese community may update an article on how Chinese people celebrate the country's 60th anniversary, or maybe someone from the French community can upload a video of how he/she cooks a French cuisine and he/she explains it in English.
Another suggestion I want to make for the Community section is online blog must not have long paragraphs, they should be all short paragraphs with around 25 words each to comply with user-friendly rule of writing for the web.
These are my main thoughts on the BBC Learning English website, hope you find my suggestions helpful.
Friday 25 September 2009
The propane tackles environmental issues
This is a story I turned from an Press Release, and tried to practise a bit of picking up quotes, important informations from a PR-oriented article.
The propane industry announced today a nationwide effort for tackling environmental issues.
It says the project can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) led the goal to inform the country of how expanding the use of propane could begin cutting emission of greenhouse gases immediately.
"Significant and swift progress toward environmental goals is within reach," said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. "The key is to more fully embrace the clean alternative energies, like wind, solar, natural gas, ethanol, and propane, that are already used across the country."
Recently, T. Boone Pickens highlighted propane as an important part of the Pickens Plan, citing propane's environment-friendly profile and ample production in the United States.
"America has the opportunity today to reduce its dependence on foreign oil while protecting the environment by making the most of domestic energy sources," said Pickens. "Propane is clean, it's American-made, and it can be put to work right now."
The propane industry announced today a nationwide effort for tackling environmental issues.
It says the project can help cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, lower energy costs, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) led the goal to inform the country of how expanding the use of propane could begin cutting emission of greenhouse gases immediately.
"Significant and swift progress toward environmental goals is within reach," said Roy Willis, president and CEO of PERC. "The key is to more fully embrace the clean alternative energies, like wind, solar, natural gas, ethanol, and propane, that are already used across the country."
Recently, T. Boone Pickens highlighted propane as an important part of the Pickens Plan, citing propane's environment-friendly profile and ample production in the United States.
"America has the opportunity today to reduce its dependence on foreign oil while protecting the environment by making the most of domestic energy sources," said Pickens. "Propane is clean, it's American-made, and it can be put to work right now."
US Energy Department funding boosts employment and national economy (second copy)
Second copy for NewNet
11th September 2009
US Energy Department has confirmed to provide millions of loans guarantees for Solyndra, Inc., which will help create new jobs and boost national economy.
The Recovery Act – a $535 million loan guarantee finalised by the Department will assist create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to 1,000 jobs once the facility opens.
The founding will manufacture innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, and finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility.
Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
The Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth.'
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
11th September 2009
US Energy Department has confirmed to provide millions of loans guarantees for Solyndra, Inc., which will help create new jobs and boost national economy.
The Recovery Act – a $535 million loan guarantee finalised by the Department will assist create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to 1,000 jobs once the facility opens.
The founding will manufacture innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, and finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility.
Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
The Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth.'
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
US Energy Department finalised $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra
A story I wrote couple of days ago for NewNet online publication
11th September 2009
US Department of Energy has finalised a $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra, Inc. on 4 September 2009, which manufactures innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, according to the department's announcement.
The funding will finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility. Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st century economy.'
Solyndra estimates the new plant will create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to as many as 1,000 jobs once the facility opens. The Recovery Act is changing America's economy by making significant investments, creating sustainable jobs and transforming how America produces and uses energy.
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
Solyndra is the first recipient of a loan guarantee under the Recover Act and Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
11th September 2009
US Department of Energy has finalised a $535 million loan guarantee for Solyndra, Inc. on 4 September 2009, which manufactures innovative cylindrical solar photovoltaic panels that provide clean, renewable energy, according to the department's announcement.
The funding will finance construction of the first phase of the company's new manufacturing facility. Annual production of solar panels from the first phase is expected to provide energy which can power 24,000 homes a year or in another word, over the project's lifetime, the first phase facility could manufacture up to 7 gigawatts of solar panels, which can generate electricity equivalent to 3 or 4 coal fired power plants.
Vice President Biden said, 'the announcement today is part of the unprecedented investment this Administration is making in renewable energy and exactly what the Recovery Act is all about. By investing in the infrastructure and technology of the future, we are not only creating jobs today, but laying the foundation for long-term growth in the 21st century economy.'
Solyndra estimates the new plant will create 3,000 construction jobs initially, and lead to as many as 1,000 jobs once the facility opens. The Recovery Act is changing America's economy by making significant investments, creating sustainable jobs and transforming how America produces and uses energy.
'It is time to rev up the American innovation machine and reclaim our lead on clean energy,' said US
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. 'This investment is part of a broad, aggressive effort to spark new industrial revolution that will put Americans to work, end our dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon pollution.'
Solyndra is the first recipient of a loan guarantee under the Recover Act and Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Thursday 20 August 2009
It is down to you to throw yourself into your (journalism) studies
An e-mail, carrying enough reasons to cheer me up, is writtern to me by Richard Parsons, a veteran journalist/editor and one of the most respectable newspaper journalists I have ever met in the UK.
Yixiang,
Great news – I’m so pleased for you. It’s a result of hard work and sheer determination on your part.
I know Mr Ward is taking a chance, bearing in mind your acknowledged developing language skills, and now it is down to you to throw yourself into your studies.
I’ve copied this to Andy and Angela, who will be interested to know how you are getting on.
I hope you will stay in touch.
Best wishes
Richard
Yixiang,
Great news – I’m so pleased for you. It’s a result of hard work and sheer determination on your part.
I know Mr Ward is taking a chance, bearing in mind your acknowledged developing language skills, and now it is down to you to throw yourself into your studies.
I’ve copied this to Andy and Angela, who will be interested to know how you are getting on.
I hope you will stay in touch.
Best wishes
Richard
David Cameron “Tories Are the Party of the NHS”
The Conservative are the “party of the NHS”, Tory leader David Cameron says, while Labour is “out-of-touch and bureaucratic”, BBC News Online reports.
The Tory leader has pledged to increase spending on health during a speech in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Cameron said this is in a bid to recover from the fallout of Tory MEP Daniel Hannan’s appearance on US TV, where he claimed the NHS had been a “60-year mistake”.
Cameron said only the Tories are offering the NHS a funding guarantee.
“Spending on the NHS cannot stand still, because standing still would be taking a step backwards,” He said during his NHS hospital visit in north-west of England. “That is why we have pledged real-terms increases in NHS spending,” as reported by the Guardian.
On the other hand, “Labour”, said Mr. Cameron “could not be trusted to keep their promises” on the health service.
During the speech Mr. Cameron made in Manchester, he said Labour is mistakenly praising “political point-scoring” instead of addressing the serious issues. He further said its health service reforms had “come to the end of the line”.
He said he is concerned that spending can not stand still in the face of an ageing population and medical advances, according to the BBC News Online.
“The debt crisis means we need a new approach to public spending, to make sure we get more for less. But in the NHS, even that won’t do,” said Mr. Cameron.
Cameron has pledged that spending will, at the very least, rise in line with inflation from 2011- 14 if the Tories win the next election.
He also argued that spending alone cannot protect the NHS. It will need an intensification of reforms to cope with an ageing population.
“Our health service is crying out for the next stage of change. I believe we have shown that we are the ones to bring about that change, and that we have earned the right to call ourselves the party of the NHS today. We believe in the NHS. We understand the pressures it faces.”
He then continued to say that Tory reforms would be focusing on making the supply of healthcare more efficient and reducing demand for the NHS through more preventive care.
“The power of competition – an opening up of the NHS to news providers – will bring innovation and investment. And the power of choice – the ability for people to control what service they get – will lead to better quality care.”
These reforms will create a more user-friendly and efficient NHS that both meets patient expectations and restores professional responsibility, says the Guardian.
20/08/09
The Tory leader has pledged to increase spending on health during a speech in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Cameron said this is in a bid to recover from the fallout of Tory MEP Daniel Hannan’s appearance on US TV, where he claimed the NHS had been a “60-year mistake”.
Cameron said only the Tories are offering the NHS a funding guarantee.
“Spending on the NHS cannot stand still, because standing still would be taking a step backwards,” He said during his NHS hospital visit in north-west of England. “That is why we have pledged real-terms increases in NHS spending,” as reported by the Guardian.
On the other hand, “Labour”, said Mr. Cameron “could not be trusted to keep their promises” on the health service.
During the speech Mr. Cameron made in Manchester, he said Labour is mistakenly praising “political point-scoring” instead of addressing the serious issues. He further said its health service reforms had “come to the end of the line”.
He said he is concerned that spending can not stand still in the face of an ageing population and medical advances, according to the BBC News Online.
“The debt crisis means we need a new approach to public spending, to make sure we get more for less. But in the NHS, even that won’t do,” said Mr. Cameron.
Cameron has pledged that spending will, at the very least, rise in line with inflation from 2011- 14 if the Tories win the next election.
He also argued that spending alone cannot protect the NHS. It will need an intensification of reforms to cope with an ageing population.
“Our health service is crying out for the next stage of change. I believe we have shown that we are the ones to bring about that change, and that we have earned the right to call ourselves the party of the NHS today. We believe in the NHS. We understand the pressures it faces.”
He then continued to say that Tory reforms would be focusing on making the supply of healthcare more efficient and reducing demand for the NHS through more preventive care.
“The power of competition – an opening up of the NHS to news providers – will bring innovation and investment. And the power of choice – the ability for people to control what service they get – will lead to better quality care.”
These reforms will create a more user-friendly and efficient NHS that both meets patient expectations and restores professional responsibility, says the Guardian.
20/08/09
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Muslims urged not to miss medical appointments during Ramadan
Barts and The London NHS Trust is encouraging Muslims to look after their health and attend scheduled medical appointments during the month of Ramadan, says Medical News Today, UK.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting, and practised by people who are Muslims, according to TimeOut.
Nuala Close, Lead Cancer Nurse has expressed concern that some Muslim patients may inadvertently miss their cancer screening or other urgent medical appointment during their Ramadan period.
The Trust’s Muslim chaplain Jusna Begum said: “Islamic law exempts the elderly, the ill, young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers from Ramadan’s requirements.
“Patients undergoing treatment for many different diseases maybe required to eat or drink prior to talking their medication or undergo investigations.
It is essential that our Muslim patients follow the strict medication guidance in the knowledge that they are not breaking their religious beliefs.
I ask all Muslims to make their health a priority and attend any scheduled appointments,” The Medical News Today, UK reports.
According to Nuala Close, she said they noticed a spike in missed appointments during Ramadan over the past couple of years.
They would like to address to ensure their patients are seen urgently when they are being referred by their GP’s.
Though she admits that this is an issue not unique to their Trust but to other areas in the UK with a high Muslim population.
She said: “Some of our Muslim patients may not realise the importance of attending their appointment, particularly those who have been referred to us from their GP with a suspected cancer diagnosis. It is important that these patients are seen within two weeks of their referral to the Trust.
“Patients need to understand they are taking an unnecessary risk with their health if they miss they appointment, as to wait the end of Ramadan could have serious consequences on their health.
“Screening tests help save lives by detecting cancers early when treatment can be more effective. Putting off clinic appointment for several weeks can really make the difference to the outcome for patients who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer.”
A representative from The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We urge all fellow Muslim brothers and sisters not to make their own decisions to alter doses or timings of medications without the guidance from their doctors or pharmacists through out the holy month of Ramadan and beyond,
“We also urge local health practitioners to liaise with mosques and Islamic centres to educate the public on this important information during Ramadan fasting.”
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting, and practised by people who are Muslims, according to TimeOut.
Nuala Close, Lead Cancer Nurse has expressed concern that some Muslim patients may inadvertently miss their cancer screening or other urgent medical appointment during their Ramadan period.
The Trust’s Muslim chaplain Jusna Begum said: “Islamic law exempts the elderly, the ill, young children, pregnant women and nursing mothers from Ramadan’s requirements.
“Patients undergoing treatment for many different diseases maybe required to eat or drink prior to talking their medication or undergo investigations.
It is essential that our Muslim patients follow the strict medication guidance in the knowledge that they are not breaking their religious beliefs.
I ask all Muslims to make their health a priority and attend any scheduled appointments,” The Medical News Today, UK reports.
According to Nuala Close, she said they noticed a spike in missed appointments during Ramadan over the past couple of years.
They would like to address to ensure their patients are seen urgently when they are being referred by their GP’s.
Though she admits that this is an issue not unique to their Trust but to other areas in the UK with a high Muslim population.
She said: “Some of our Muslim patients may not realise the importance of attending their appointment, particularly those who have been referred to us from their GP with a suspected cancer diagnosis. It is important that these patients are seen within two weeks of their referral to the Trust.
“Patients need to understand they are taking an unnecessary risk with their health if they miss they appointment, as to wait the end of Ramadan could have serious consequences on their health.
“Screening tests help save lives by detecting cancers early when treatment can be more effective. Putting off clinic appointment for several weeks can really make the difference to the outcome for patients who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer.”
A representative from The Muslim Council of Britain said: “We urge all fellow Muslim brothers and sisters not to make their own decisions to alter doses or timings of medications without the guidance from their doctors or pharmacists through out the holy month of Ramadan and beyond,
“We also urge local health practitioners to liaise with mosques and Islamic centres to educate the public on this important information during Ramadan fasting.”
Police learn about Ramadan report says
The meaning of Ramadan and how Muslims celebrate the holy month of fasting was explained to Salford police and community officers, according to Asian News.
Shaikh Esam, who sits on the Shari’a advisory board of a number of banks and financial institutions in Bahrain, explained what Ramadan means for Muslims, according to TimesOut.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting. And to understand fasting, Shaikh Esam suggests first of all, people should understand what Islam means, Islam is an Arabic word that means to submit willingly to the commandments of God.
Islam is based on five important pillars of which the fourth pillar is about fasting. Muslims surrender to God by surrendering to his laws and people measure the acceptance or rejection of this submission with these five pillars.
These five pillars are: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj.
Asian News continues by saying that Eccles and Salford Islamic Society hosted the awareness day at Eccles Mosque on Liverpool Road for officers from the Saford South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The event welcomes members from all communities and it gave them the opportunity to meet a member of the mosque, and their local policing officers, and informally discuss Ramadan, the meaning for Muslims living in this country, in Salford, and how the period will policed.
Back to TimeOut, the first pillar “Shahadah” means to declare with conviction and acceptance that there is no one worthy of worship other than Alla. The second part of this pillar is to declare that Mohammed is his messenger.
The second pillar “Salah” establishes the five daily prayers in their set forms and their special times which correlate to the position of the sun – sunrise, sunset. Muslims pray five times a day.
Zakah means anyone who owns a minimum threshold amounts and retains this minimum threshold for one lunar year is obliged to pay out 2.5 per cent (the rule thumb) of this threshold, for charitable purposes.
Sawm is the fourth pillar of the whole process, it is to fast for the complete days of Ramadan, to abstain absolutely from any intake of food and drink between the break of dawn and sunset.
Fasting has two dimensions, the abstinence from natural acts and the uplifting, cleansing and purifying spiritually.
Last pillar “Hajj” to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca during the season of the pilgrimage, once in someone’s lifetime, if the person is physically and financially able.
The Asian News concludes that the officers were also on hand to talk to residents about the issues that affect them on a daily basis and discuss ways that can help improve their quality of life.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about anther culture as well as meeting a member of the Salford South Neighbourhood Policing Team,” said a member of the public.
Shaikh Esam, who sits on the Shari’a advisory board of a number of banks and financial institutions in Bahrain, explained what Ramadan means for Muslims, according to TimesOut.
Ramadan is the name of the ninth lunar month on the Islamic Calendar. It is about worship and the ritual of fasting. And to understand fasting, Shaikh Esam suggests first of all, people should understand what Islam means, Islam is an Arabic word that means to submit willingly to the commandments of God.
Islam is based on five important pillars of which the fourth pillar is about fasting. Muslims surrender to God by surrendering to his laws and people measure the acceptance or rejection of this submission with these five pillars.
These five pillars are: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj.
Asian News continues by saying that Eccles and Salford Islamic Society hosted the awareness day at Eccles Mosque on Liverpool Road for officers from the Saford South Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The event welcomes members from all communities and it gave them the opportunity to meet a member of the mosque, and their local policing officers, and informally discuss Ramadan, the meaning for Muslims living in this country, in Salford, and how the period will policed.
Back to TimeOut, the first pillar “Shahadah” means to declare with conviction and acceptance that there is no one worthy of worship other than Alla. The second part of this pillar is to declare that Mohammed is his messenger.
The second pillar “Salah” establishes the five daily prayers in their set forms and their special times which correlate to the position of the sun – sunrise, sunset. Muslims pray five times a day.
Zakah means anyone who owns a minimum threshold amounts and retains this minimum threshold for one lunar year is obliged to pay out 2.5 per cent (the rule thumb) of this threshold, for charitable purposes.
Sawm is the fourth pillar of the whole process, it is to fast for the complete days of Ramadan, to abstain absolutely from any intake of food and drink between the break of dawn and sunset.
Fasting has two dimensions, the abstinence from natural acts and the uplifting, cleansing and purifying spiritually.
Last pillar “Hajj” to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca during the season of the pilgrimage, once in someone’s lifetime, if the person is physically and financially able.
The Asian News concludes that the officers were also on hand to talk to residents about the issues that affect them on a daily basis and discuss ways that can help improve their quality of life.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about anther culture as well as meeting a member of the Salford South Neighbourhood Policing Team,” said a member of the public.
Michael Jackson burial held on his 51th birthday
Michael Jackson’s body will be buried in Los Angeles on 29 August, the day the King of Pop would have turned 51, his father said, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Joe Jackson, 80, told AFP that the birthday burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery would be a private event, and it is two months after his 25 June death from his heart failure.
The reasons behind the cardiac arrest which killed the singer remain a mystery, according to ITN news, and authorities are continuing the investigation whether prescription drugs played a role in Jackson’s death, and have focused on the role played by his personal physician Conrad Murray in the wake of the singer’s death, says The Daily Telegraph.
Dr Murray was present at the time Jackson died, and reportedly has admitted prescribing powerful anaesthetics to the singer.
In LA, a judge has postponed a decision on whether or not to approve a traveling exhibition dedicated to Michael Jackson.
The singer’s mother Katherine is said to be concerned the planned show might not bring enough money to his estate.
However, ITN news reports that a deal for the sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia has been approved and it is believed the king of Pop could earn more posthumously than his former father-in-law Elvis Presley.
The event – Las Vegas celebrates the music of Michael Jackson – will showcase Las Vegas Strip entertainers singing the star’s greatest hits, says The Daily Telegraph.
Joe Jackson, the singer’s father said he plans to return to Las Vegas immediately after the burial service to attend a charity fundraiser at the Palms Casino Resort.
According to Joe, later that day, the Jackson family patriarch is to receive a celebrity star in his late son’s honour from Brenden Theatres, a cinema at the Palms frequented by Jackson and his three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7.
The theater has also planned a charity screening of the 1988 film “Moonwalker”, a feature film of Jackson concert footage and music video clips, with proceeds going to public school music education programs in Las Vegas.
Joe Jackson, 80, told AFP that the birthday burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery would be a private event, and it is two months after his 25 June death from his heart failure.
The reasons behind the cardiac arrest which killed the singer remain a mystery, according to ITN news, and authorities are continuing the investigation whether prescription drugs played a role in Jackson’s death, and have focused on the role played by his personal physician Conrad Murray in the wake of the singer’s death, says The Daily Telegraph.
Dr Murray was present at the time Jackson died, and reportedly has admitted prescribing powerful anaesthetics to the singer.
In LA, a judge has postponed a decision on whether or not to approve a traveling exhibition dedicated to Michael Jackson.
The singer’s mother Katherine is said to be concerned the planned show might not bring enough money to his estate.
However, ITN news reports that a deal for the sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia has been approved and it is believed the king of Pop could earn more posthumously than his former father-in-law Elvis Presley.
The event – Las Vegas celebrates the music of Michael Jackson – will showcase Las Vegas Strip entertainers singing the star’s greatest hits, says The Daily Telegraph.
Joe Jackson, the singer’s father said he plans to return to Las Vegas immediately after the burial service to attend a charity fundraiser at the Palms Casino Resort.
According to Joe, later that day, the Jackson family patriarch is to receive a celebrity star in his late son’s honour from Brenden Theatres, a cinema at the Palms frequented by Jackson and his three children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, 7.
The theater has also planned a charity screening of the 1988 film “Moonwalker”, a feature film of Jackson concert footage and music video clips, with proceeds going to public school music education programs in Las Vegas.
Monday 17 August 2009
Demonstrators arrested at BNP annual gathering
19 people have been arrested after around more than 1,000 anti-fascist demonstrators joined a protest march near the site of a BNP festival, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Vast of the protesters involved in the march near the village of Codnor had been peaceful and co-operative.
However, police did come under brief attack from a small number of protesters, who threw plastic bottles and bags of flour, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Police says at least four men led away in handcuffs in Codnor Denby Lane after the scuffles, which lasted for around five minutes.
A police spokesman said: “Unfortunately, some people have ignored police advice and failed to abide by the agreements reached during the planning of the protest.
Despite what police describes the demonstration was peaceful, local residents behaved differently towards these protestors, The Guardian reports.
At one end of the Codnor Denby Lane the church of St James held hourly prayers for “peace and tolerance” and allowed the protestors to use their toilets, while other residents brought cups of tea to police and reporters.
However, shopkeepers were furious at the invasion, not for the BNP but of the protesters – a mix of anti-racist groups, union and Socialist Worker party members, or the “Trots, anarchists and troublemakers”, as one woman put it.
Eric Madeley closed his watch and clock repairers, though it was supposed to be his busiest day.
He said in a selfish way the BNP are not bothering me but these protesters are. They are just so intimidating, especially those with scarves round their faces. It’s very worrying.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the main body of demonstrators, monitored by a camera mounted on a drone, gathered in Codnor’s Market Place, chanting “Nazi scum, off our streets” and waving placards from campaign group United Against Fascism and various trade union groups.
Local Labour MP Judy Mallaber said a polical gathering should not be held in the village.
She told The Guardian: “For three years, we have argued this site is completely unsuitable and it causes extreme stress for the people who live the farm right next to it and it means people who wish to exercise their right to protest have to do so in narrow streets, which causes more upset to residents and shopkeepers. The BNP are seeking support, but they just show their contempt by going ahead without consideration for the effect on our community.”
Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, estimated that about 100 of those visiting the festival had been delayed by the protest march, The Daily Telegraph says.
He said: “We are just ordinary people having a bit of a laugh in the sun.”
The festival organised a political marquee to hear speeches, also invited journalists, and a Ford Ka was up o grabs in a raffle alongside stalls selling badges and pork scratchings.
Vast of the protesters involved in the march near the village of Codnor had been peaceful and co-operative.
However, police did come under brief attack from a small number of protesters, who threw plastic bottles and bags of flour, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Police says at least four men led away in handcuffs in Codnor Denby Lane after the scuffles, which lasted for around five minutes.
A police spokesman said: “Unfortunately, some people have ignored police advice and failed to abide by the agreements reached during the planning of the protest.
Despite what police describes the demonstration was peaceful, local residents behaved differently towards these protestors, The Guardian reports.
At one end of the Codnor Denby Lane the church of St James held hourly prayers for “peace and tolerance” and allowed the protestors to use their toilets, while other residents brought cups of tea to police and reporters.
However, shopkeepers were furious at the invasion, not for the BNP but of the protesters – a mix of anti-racist groups, union and Socialist Worker party members, or the “Trots, anarchists and troublemakers”, as one woman put it.
Eric Madeley closed his watch and clock repairers, though it was supposed to be his busiest day.
He said in a selfish way the BNP are not bothering me but these protesters are. They are just so intimidating, especially those with scarves round their faces. It’s very worrying.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the main body of demonstrators, monitored by a camera mounted on a drone, gathered in Codnor’s Market Place, chanting “Nazi scum, off our streets” and waving placards from campaign group United Against Fascism and various trade union groups.
Local Labour MP Judy Mallaber said a polical gathering should not be held in the village.
She told The Guardian: “For three years, we have argued this site is completely unsuitable and it causes extreme stress for the people who live the farm right next to it and it means people who wish to exercise their right to protest have to do so in narrow streets, which causes more upset to residents and shopkeepers. The BNP are seeking support, but they just show their contempt by going ahead without consideration for the effect on our community.”
Simon Darby, the deputy leader of the BNP, estimated that about 100 of those visiting the festival had been delayed by the protest march, The Daily Telegraph says.
He said: “We are just ordinary people having a bit of a laugh in the sun.”
The festival organised a political marquee to hear speeches, also invited journalists, and a Ford Ka was up o grabs in a raffle alongside stalls selling badges and pork scratchings.
Councils not prepared for next wave of recession The Guardian says
Councils are not prepared enough for the fallout from the recession and face a surge in social problems, such as addiction, alcoholism and domestic violence, the leading public sector watchdog says, according to The Guardian.
The Audit Commission said that local authorities in England were now facing the “second wave” of the downturn, as the effects of rising business failures, bankruptcies and unemployment bite.
The Audit Commission said in an interview with The Guardian: “Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead, this includes councils that have escaped the worst effects to date, some of which are complacent.”
According to another report which coincided with the Audit Commission’s view, found out that despite the recession would lead to an exodus of non-UK national, one in 12 employers in the UK plan to recruit migrant workers in the next few months.
Another study, by the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development and the consultants KPMG, found that the number of migrant workers rose between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009 while employment of UK national fell.
Gerwyn Davies, public policy adviser at the CIPD, told The Guardian that many employers found it hard to fill vacancies with UK workers.
He said: “Most of the migrants are recruited and retained by employers because they provide skills or attitudes to work in short supply amongst the home-grown workforce.”
Official figures due to be published this morning will be closely scrutinized for evidence that the economy is bottoming out.
The broad measure of joblessness has been rising at a record rate, and the measurement covers those looking for work rather than simply those eligible for state benefit.
A third report found low earners are being disproportionately hit by the recession. Amid growing political concern about the alienation of UK-born workers, the Resolution Foundation, a charity, told The Guardian people with household incomes of between £11,600 and £27,150 were facing severe financial pain, were being overlooked by the government, and missed out on help from employers.
Sue Regan, the chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said despite of economic recovery it was likely that job losses among low earners would continue to rise.
She said: “If you look at the sectors where they are likely to work, they are areas which are likely to have been depressed for a long time.”
A charity estimates 400,000 low earners were receiving jobseeker’s allowance in April 2008 and more 180,000 have joined them since the recession began.
It says the government tends to focus on people with no skills, but the charity would like to see the skills strategy extended specifically to help low earners.
The Audit Commission said that local authorities in England were now facing the “second wave” of the downturn, as the effects of rising business failures, bankruptcies and unemployment bite.
The Audit Commission said in an interview with The Guardian: “Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead, this includes councils that have escaped the worst effects to date, some of which are complacent.”
According to another report which coincided with the Audit Commission’s view, found out that despite the recession would lead to an exodus of non-UK national, one in 12 employers in the UK plan to recruit migrant workers in the next few months.
Another study, by the Chartered Institute of Personal and Development and the consultants KPMG, found that the number of migrant workers rose between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009 while employment of UK national fell.
Gerwyn Davies, public policy adviser at the CIPD, told The Guardian that many employers found it hard to fill vacancies with UK workers.
He said: “Most of the migrants are recruited and retained by employers because they provide skills or attitudes to work in short supply amongst the home-grown workforce.”
Official figures due to be published this morning will be closely scrutinized for evidence that the economy is bottoming out.
The broad measure of joblessness has been rising at a record rate, and the measurement covers those looking for work rather than simply those eligible for state benefit.
A third report found low earners are being disproportionately hit by the recession. Amid growing political concern about the alienation of UK-born workers, the Resolution Foundation, a charity, told The Guardian people with household incomes of between £11,600 and £27,150 were facing severe financial pain, were being overlooked by the government, and missed out on help from employers.
Sue Regan, the chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said despite of economic recovery it was likely that job losses among low earners would continue to rise.
She said: “If you look at the sectors where they are likely to work, they are areas which are likely to have been depressed for a long time.”
A charity estimates 400,000 low earners were receiving jobseeker’s allowance in April 2008 and more 180,000 have joined them since the recession began.
It says the government tends to focus on people with no skills, but the charity would like to see the skills strategy extended specifically to help low earners.
Friday 14 August 2009
Language, culture, and being British
An article entitled “Who’s blame for the rise of the BNP?” suggests the government need to require all the immigrants to learn the language and culture of this country if they wish to stay in the UK, Rod Bulcock wrote in The Guardian.
Here are some of the quotes from the article, “People need to learn the language and culture of whatever country they choose to live in…”, and then more quotes to come “government needs to act now to restore some prosperity to these areas. The problems will only grow if they don’t engage with them.”
Rod Bulcock then continued to comment “If the presence of the BNP gets that conversation under way, they will have done us all a service.
Rod Bulcock thinks that BNP’s anti-immigrants perspective formed from those immigrants’ lack of English language skills and understanding of British culture.
Rukiya Dadhiwala, of Batley, from West Yorkshire, writes a comment on The Guardian, 11 June responding how their opinion regarding “being a British” issue.
Rukiya says to an extent she agrees that of course, it is essential that the language of the country is leant in order to be part of the society, but people must be kidding themselves if them believe the majority of the immigrants do not speak the English language or have no interest in getting to know the British culture whatsoever.
She then tells a story about herself. She is from Batley, just a stone’s throw from Bingley and lives in a majority Indian community, and 99% of their residents speak English – though not all have the confidence to speak in a professional manner.
She says she spoke English with her gran at home, but she her gran still prefers Rukiya to be her spokesperson at the hospital.
As for the culture, she then continues that there are four generations of her family in the UK, and across the four generations they have qualified teachers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, lab technicians, architects, statisticians and herself work in medical research area.
She stressed that her family case is not rare across the whole area where she lives, she admits her and her family like any other UK groups and share probably similar problems. But they are all proud of being British, and in the meantime, her and her families are also proud of their south Asian heritage and their culture in the UK reflects both of these two heritages.
She concludes her article by saying, and finally questioning: “We work in the UK, we socialise in the UK, we marry in the UK, we have our families in the UK, we pay our taxes in the UK, we use the education and healthcare systems in the UK, and national problems affect us too – so are we not part of the culture? What more do we need to be doing?
Here are some of the quotes from the article, “People need to learn the language and culture of whatever country they choose to live in…”, and then more quotes to come “government needs to act now to restore some prosperity to these areas. The problems will only grow if they don’t engage with them.”
Rod Bulcock then continued to comment “If the presence of the BNP gets that conversation under way, they will have done us all a service.
Rod Bulcock thinks that BNP’s anti-immigrants perspective formed from those immigrants’ lack of English language skills and understanding of British culture.
Rukiya Dadhiwala, of Batley, from West Yorkshire, writes a comment on The Guardian, 11 June responding how their opinion regarding “being a British” issue.
Rukiya says to an extent she agrees that of course, it is essential that the language of the country is leant in order to be part of the society, but people must be kidding themselves if them believe the majority of the immigrants do not speak the English language or have no interest in getting to know the British culture whatsoever.
She then tells a story about herself. She is from Batley, just a stone’s throw from Bingley and lives in a majority Indian community, and 99% of their residents speak English – though not all have the confidence to speak in a professional manner.
She says she spoke English with her gran at home, but she her gran still prefers Rukiya to be her spokesperson at the hospital.
As for the culture, she then continues that there are four generations of her family in the UK, and across the four generations they have qualified teachers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, lab technicians, architects, statisticians and herself work in medical research area.
She stressed that her family case is not rare across the whole area where she lives, she admits her and her family like any other UK groups and share probably similar problems. But they are all proud of being British, and in the meantime, her and her families are also proud of their south Asian heritage and their culture in the UK reflects both of these two heritages.
She concludes her article by saying, and finally questioning: “We work in the UK, we socialise in the UK, we marry in the UK, we have our families in the UK, we pay our taxes in the UK, we use the education and healthcare systems in the UK, and national problems affect us too – so are we not part of the culture? What more do we need to be doing?
When sensationalism utilised by extremists
Brawls at recent protests shows how all of people in Britain, and especially the media, have a responsibility to fight extremism, Sunny Hundal writes on The Guardian.
The riot on Saturday 8 August in Birmingham city centre involved more than 100 people and pitched battles in the high street.
On one side, a loose alliance of two groups – the English Defence League and Casual United had organised an anti-Islamic fundamentalism demonstration, on the other, a counter demonstration organised by United Against Fascism.
According to Sunny Hundal, the background to the Saturday riot in Birmingham was the protest against British soldiers by some Muslim extremists on 10 March, and it was used by various far-right groups to be against the majority of Muslims in this country.
Prior to the Birmingham riot, the National Front turned out a big demonstration in Luton on 13 April, which needed police reinforcements from London to control, and some time later, the Luton mosque was fire-bombed, Sunny Hundal writes.
On 24 May an even bigger protest was organised by the English and Welsh Defence League, went to destroy property in Muslim-heavy areas of Luton.
Sunny says that evidence show the English Defence League was in particular infiltrated by neo-Nazis and BNP supporters. Stormfront, a popular website for fascists, urged members to join the demonstration on Saturday.
He agrees the need for minorities to defend themselves in the streets or fight against fascists if necessary, especially if the police do not do their job properly that people have to step in to protect themselves.
He also so says extremist Muslims should not be let off the hook. In 2004 the extremist group al-Muhajiroun had planned a rally in London where Hindus and Sikhs would be openly converted to Islam. They nearly caused a mini-riot then because Sikh gangs and BNP members had also planned to show up.
Anjem Choudhary carried out a similar stunt recently by apparently converting an 11-year-old to Islam. Al-Muhajiroun has always been a small but highly vocal group, which seeks publicity for its stunts to polarise people, it is shunned by mosques across the country, but its stunts nevertheless inflame Hindu, Sikh and white groups thanks to incessant media coverage.
Sunny then summarises that several choices offered here: the group could be banned for activities on a par with the National Front. The Police could also become more proactive against extremist groups, and stop local councils giving them any space.
Lastly, he says Muslim groups themselves need to step up campaigning against these extremists or these extremists will continue making life more difficult for them.
Then Sunny writes Britons also need to get re-acquainted with British tradition of free speech and express, even if it involves people of different skin colour and religion saying outrageous things.
The police and intelligence services also need to start taking far-right extremism in UK more seriously.
At the end of his article, entitled “Sensationalism is a gift to extremists”, the author writes the real people to blame for these riots are the journalists willing to run inflammatory headlines, playing straight into the hands of extremists on both sides.
The riot on Saturday 8 August in Birmingham city centre involved more than 100 people and pitched battles in the high street.
On one side, a loose alliance of two groups – the English Defence League and Casual United had organised an anti-Islamic fundamentalism demonstration, on the other, a counter demonstration organised by United Against Fascism.
According to Sunny Hundal, the background to the Saturday riot in Birmingham was the protest against British soldiers by some Muslim extremists on 10 March, and it was used by various far-right groups to be against the majority of Muslims in this country.
Prior to the Birmingham riot, the National Front turned out a big demonstration in Luton on 13 April, which needed police reinforcements from London to control, and some time later, the Luton mosque was fire-bombed, Sunny Hundal writes.
On 24 May an even bigger protest was organised by the English and Welsh Defence League, went to destroy property in Muslim-heavy areas of Luton.
Sunny says that evidence show the English Defence League was in particular infiltrated by neo-Nazis and BNP supporters. Stormfront, a popular website for fascists, urged members to join the demonstration on Saturday.
He agrees the need for minorities to defend themselves in the streets or fight against fascists if necessary, especially if the police do not do their job properly that people have to step in to protect themselves.
He also so says extremist Muslims should not be let off the hook. In 2004 the extremist group al-Muhajiroun had planned a rally in London where Hindus and Sikhs would be openly converted to Islam. They nearly caused a mini-riot then because Sikh gangs and BNP members had also planned to show up.
Anjem Choudhary carried out a similar stunt recently by apparently converting an 11-year-old to Islam. Al-Muhajiroun has always been a small but highly vocal group, which seeks publicity for its stunts to polarise people, it is shunned by mosques across the country, but its stunts nevertheless inflame Hindu, Sikh and white groups thanks to incessant media coverage.
Sunny then summarises that several choices offered here: the group could be banned for activities on a par with the National Front. The Police could also become more proactive against extremist groups, and stop local councils giving them any space.
Lastly, he says Muslim groups themselves need to step up campaigning against these extremists or these extremists will continue making life more difficult for them.
Then Sunny writes Britons also need to get re-acquainted with British tradition of free speech and express, even if it involves people of different skin colour and religion saying outrageous things.
The police and intelligence services also need to start taking far-right extremism in UK more seriously.
At the end of his article, entitled “Sensationalism is a gift to extremists”, the author writes the real people to blame for these riots are the journalists willing to run inflammatory headlines, playing straight into the hands of extremists on both sides.
Daily Mirror anti-racism campaign kicked off
The Daily Mirror kicked off its annual nationwide anti-racism campaign - Hope not Hate from middle of May in the run-up to June’s local council and European elections, The Guardian reports.
The campaign was launched in conjunction with anti-fascist group Searchlight, aiming to push a message of tolerance and diversity to counteract campaigning by groups such as the BNP.
Richard Wallace, the editor of Daily Mirror told The Guardian: “It is vital that this country remains a place where hope and harmony triumph over hate and division. Britain’s fair, equal, multicultural society is one of our greatest assets and must be celebrated and protected.”
Following the BNP candidates elected over the Euro election in early June, thousands of people in Britain signed anti-BNP petition to express their outrage over the result.
The new Hope Not Hate petition had gathered 87, 000 signatures and almost 7, 000 photographs of British voters holding up signs with the message Not In My Name.
The Daily Mirror had travelled with Hope Not Hate activists to Strasbourg on 14 July, as it is an official date for these two BNP elected candidates, Griffin, in the North West region and Andrew Brons, in Yorkshire and Humber to take up their seats.
In Strasbourg, the Mirror and Hope Not Hate activists had presented the petition to the European Parliament. Its message that BNP dose not speak for the British people had been sent across, according to Daily Mirror.
Nick Lowles, Hope Not Hate organiser told the Daily Mirror: “We intend to show that most British people are against everything the racist BNP stand for, how can they possibly represent Britain when a whole generation risked and gave their lives to fight fascism?”
He then added the collapse of trust in the major political parties with the recent expenses scandal helped the BNP increase its share of the vote.
The nationwide anti-racism campaign had backed by celebrities including Sir Alan Sugar, John Terry, Amir Khan, Jamie Oliver, Frank Lampard, Mel B, and the cast of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, The Guardian reports.
Amir Khan said in an exclusive with Daily Mirror he is proud to be British and to be a Muslim.
The 22-year-old was one of British boxing’s brightest young hopes, he had fought at the 2004 Olympics and carried a nation’s hopes with him.
He is a fighter, as well a hero, said to be very proud of his heritage.
He told Daily Mirror he felt good to be a positive role model and the respects showed from his fans means a lot to him, that he is doing something good and people are just want to be like him.
The Hope not Hate campaign, toured from London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle would be last until early June, 2009.
The campaign was launched in conjunction with anti-fascist group Searchlight, aiming to push a message of tolerance and diversity to counteract campaigning by groups such as the BNP.
Richard Wallace, the editor of Daily Mirror told The Guardian: “It is vital that this country remains a place where hope and harmony triumph over hate and division. Britain’s fair, equal, multicultural society is one of our greatest assets and must be celebrated and protected.”
Following the BNP candidates elected over the Euro election in early June, thousands of people in Britain signed anti-BNP petition to express their outrage over the result.
The new Hope Not Hate petition had gathered 87, 000 signatures and almost 7, 000 photographs of British voters holding up signs with the message Not In My Name.
The Daily Mirror had travelled with Hope Not Hate activists to Strasbourg on 14 July, as it is an official date for these two BNP elected candidates, Griffin, in the North West region and Andrew Brons, in Yorkshire and Humber to take up their seats.
In Strasbourg, the Mirror and Hope Not Hate activists had presented the petition to the European Parliament. Its message that BNP dose not speak for the British people had been sent across, according to Daily Mirror.
Nick Lowles, Hope Not Hate organiser told the Daily Mirror: “We intend to show that most British people are against everything the racist BNP stand for, how can they possibly represent Britain when a whole generation risked and gave their lives to fight fascism?”
He then added the collapse of trust in the major political parties with the recent expenses scandal helped the BNP increase its share of the vote.
The nationwide anti-racism campaign had backed by celebrities including Sir Alan Sugar, John Terry, Amir Khan, Jamie Oliver, Frank Lampard, Mel B, and the cast of Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, The Guardian reports.
Amir Khan said in an exclusive with Daily Mirror he is proud to be British and to be a Muslim.
The 22-year-old was one of British boxing’s brightest young hopes, he had fought at the 2004 Olympics and carried a nation’s hopes with him.
He is a fighter, as well a hero, said to be very proud of his heritage.
He told Daily Mirror he felt good to be a positive role model and the respects showed from his fans means a lot to him, that he is doing something good and people are just want to be like him.
The Hope not Hate campaign, toured from London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle would be last until early June, 2009.
Thursday 13 August 2009
French woman claims “burkini” ban a political matter
A French woman has been banned from wearing a “burkini” in a swimming pool outside Paris, the Daily Telegraph says.
The 35-year-old, who can only be identified as Carole, was ordered to leave by the chief lifeguard in the town pool at Emerainville, on the eastern outskirts of Paris.
She was refused entrance to the pool on the basis that she was breaking hygiene rules, which apply to all French public pools, according to the Times Online.
The rules indicate that women must wear swimsuits and men must wear trunks rather than shorts, as they are said to harbour more bacteria.
However, Carole went straight to the police and media after the incident had happened. She accused the pool officials of illegal discrimination, saying: “Quite simply, this is segregation, and I will fight to try to change things.”
The police refused her complaint on the grounds that the lifeguard was simply enforcing a rule that applies to all French public pools.
Carole, a traditional French woman, converted to Islam at the age of 17. She said she bought her “burkini” in Dubai during her holiday. The “burkini” is derived from the words of bikini and burka, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Despite the allusion to the Afghan burka, the swimsuit leaves the face uncovered. The body is clad in a track-suit-like tunic and coat and the head and neck are covered with a cross between a hijab and diver’s balaclava helmet.
The Lebanese-Australian designer’s product has quickly become a hit in the Gulf and has caused trouble in public pools in Europe and North America.
Carole’s ejection was regarded as contributing to the explicit battle between fundamentalist Muslim and a state that has banned head-cover from schools and may curb face-covering in public.
Carole said: “I thought that it could enable me to enjoy the pleasure of bathing without uncovering myself, as Islam recommends,” she told Le Parisien newspaper.
“I understand that it might shock people, but I am annoyed because I have been told that it is a political matter. I didn’t set out to cause a stir. My only aim was to be able to go swimming with my children.”
The local authorities insisted that no politics were involved. “The lady was almost fully dressed,” Daniel Guillanume, the head of sports facilities for the Seine-et-Marne department, said.
He added: “The personnel simply applied the rules that are in effect in all pools in France.”
According to Daniel Guillanume, the view is not shared by politicians who want tougher measures to oppose a rise in body-covering by strict Muslim women, and Muslims demanding segregated sessions for men and women at pools and other sports facilities.
However, André Gerin, a Communist MP from the Rhône area said: “Maybe you can see the woman’s face in this ridiculous swimsuit, but it is obviously a provocation by a militant. Going straight to the police station is proof that there is a political project behind this outfit. No doubt this is the start of a new problem.”
Mr Gerin heads a 32-member parliamentary inquiry that opened in June to review the possibility of a law to bar Muslim women from wearing the face-covering niqab in public.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy stirred fundamentalist anger last month when he sided with the review, saying that such a dress was not a symbol of faith, but a sign of women’s subservience and that it had “no place in France”, Time Online reports.
The 35-year-old, who can only be identified as Carole, was ordered to leave by the chief lifeguard in the town pool at Emerainville, on the eastern outskirts of Paris.
She was refused entrance to the pool on the basis that she was breaking hygiene rules, which apply to all French public pools, according to the Times Online.
The rules indicate that women must wear swimsuits and men must wear trunks rather than shorts, as they are said to harbour more bacteria.
However, Carole went straight to the police and media after the incident had happened. She accused the pool officials of illegal discrimination, saying: “Quite simply, this is segregation, and I will fight to try to change things.”
The police refused her complaint on the grounds that the lifeguard was simply enforcing a rule that applies to all French public pools.
Carole, a traditional French woman, converted to Islam at the age of 17. She said she bought her “burkini” in Dubai during her holiday. The “burkini” is derived from the words of bikini and burka, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Despite the allusion to the Afghan burka, the swimsuit leaves the face uncovered. The body is clad in a track-suit-like tunic and coat and the head and neck are covered with a cross between a hijab and diver’s balaclava helmet.
The Lebanese-Australian designer’s product has quickly become a hit in the Gulf and has caused trouble in public pools in Europe and North America.
Carole’s ejection was regarded as contributing to the explicit battle between fundamentalist Muslim and a state that has banned head-cover from schools and may curb face-covering in public.
Carole said: “I thought that it could enable me to enjoy the pleasure of bathing without uncovering myself, as Islam recommends,” she told Le Parisien newspaper.
“I understand that it might shock people, but I am annoyed because I have been told that it is a political matter. I didn’t set out to cause a stir. My only aim was to be able to go swimming with my children.”
The local authorities insisted that no politics were involved. “The lady was almost fully dressed,” Daniel Guillanume, the head of sports facilities for the Seine-et-Marne department, said.
He added: “The personnel simply applied the rules that are in effect in all pools in France.”
According to Daniel Guillanume, the view is not shared by politicians who want tougher measures to oppose a rise in body-covering by strict Muslim women, and Muslims demanding segregated sessions for men and women at pools and other sports facilities.
However, André Gerin, a Communist MP from the Rhône area said: “Maybe you can see the woman’s face in this ridiculous swimsuit, but it is obviously a provocation by a militant. Going straight to the police station is proof that there is a political project behind this outfit. No doubt this is the start of a new problem.”
Mr Gerin heads a 32-member parliamentary inquiry that opened in June to review the possibility of a law to bar Muslim women from wearing the face-covering niqab in public.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy stirred fundamentalist anger last month when he sided with the review, saying that such a dress was not a symbol of faith, but a sign of women’s subservience and that it had “no place in France”, Time Online reports.
Alan Duncan’s “sense of humor” puts his future in doubt
Alan Duncan, the Conservative frontbencher, has been accused of hypocrisy after he was secretly filmed complaining about MPs’ reduced standard of living, following the expenses scandal, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Tory leader David Cameron is said to have taken “dim view” of Mr. Duncan’s protest that MPs were being forced to live on “rations” and had been treated like “s---”.
Mr. Duncan’s future as shadow leader of the House of Commons is now in the balance, after some senior Tories privately expressed the hope that he would be sacked.
They said that David Cameron’s firm stance on the expenses scandal risks being undermined after Mr. Duncan’s outburst, the Times Online reports.
Many conservative colleagues spitted blood over Mr. Duncan’s thoughtless indiscretions. One said Mr. Duncan was “skating on thin ice”. Others have said his long-term prospects are now under scrutiny, because of Mr. Cameron’s hard-line attitude towards colleagues stepping out of line.
Mr. Cameron and William Hague, Shadow foreign secretary, in charge of the leader’s absence, were reported to be angry and embarrassed by the affair.
Philip Webster, the Times Online political editor, writes that the remarks were recorded by Heydon Prowse, a video journalist and magazine editor. He used a button-hole camera during a visit to the House of Commons.
On the video, Mr. Duncan said: “No one who has done anything in the outside world, or is capable of doing such a thing, will ever come into this place (the House of Commons) ever again, the way we are going. Basically, it’s being nationalised. You have to live on rations and are treated like s---.
“I spend my money on my garden and claim a tiny fraction on what is proper. And I could claim the whole ------- lot, but I don’t,” according to the Daily Telegraph.
Interestingly, Mr. Duncan defended his remarks by suggesting that he had been joking. “The last thing people want to hear is an MP whinging about his pay and conditions,” he said. “It is a huge honour to be an MP and my remarks, although meant in jest, were completely uncalled for. I apologise for them unreservedly.”
Mr. Prowse said in the Metro: “What we captured was the general prevailing attitude that he didn’t take the whole expenses scandal particularly seriously. It was all a bit of a joke.”
Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said: “Alan Duncan is very fond of speaking a good game publicly, but in private talking and acting differently. So I’m not surprised he has been found out.”
When Mr. Duncan was recorded he was not in the vision, but his voice can be clearly heard, and the film was posted on the Don’t Panic website at the end of the last month.
Tory leader David Cameron is said to have taken “dim view” of Mr. Duncan’s protest that MPs were being forced to live on “rations” and had been treated like “s---”.
Mr. Duncan’s future as shadow leader of the House of Commons is now in the balance, after some senior Tories privately expressed the hope that he would be sacked.
They said that David Cameron’s firm stance on the expenses scandal risks being undermined after Mr. Duncan’s outburst, the Times Online reports.
Many conservative colleagues spitted blood over Mr. Duncan’s thoughtless indiscretions. One said Mr. Duncan was “skating on thin ice”. Others have said his long-term prospects are now under scrutiny, because of Mr. Cameron’s hard-line attitude towards colleagues stepping out of line.
Mr. Cameron and William Hague, Shadow foreign secretary, in charge of the leader’s absence, were reported to be angry and embarrassed by the affair.
Philip Webster, the Times Online political editor, writes that the remarks were recorded by Heydon Prowse, a video journalist and magazine editor. He used a button-hole camera during a visit to the House of Commons.
On the video, Mr. Duncan said: “No one who has done anything in the outside world, or is capable of doing such a thing, will ever come into this place (the House of Commons) ever again, the way we are going. Basically, it’s being nationalised. You have to live on rations and are treated like s---.
“I spend my money on my garden and claim a tiny fraction on what is proper. And I could claim the whole ------- lot, but I don’t,” according to the Daily Telegraph.
Interestingly, Mr. Duncan defended his remarks by suggesting that he had been joking. “The last thing people want to hear is an MP whinging about his pay and conditions,” he said. “It is a huge honour to be an MP and my remarks, although meant in jest, were completely uncalled for. I apologise for them unreservedly.”
Mr. Prowse said in the Metro: “What we captured was the general prevailing attitude that he didn’t take the whole expenses scandal particularly seriously. It was all a bit of a joke.”
Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said: “Alan Duncan is very fond of speaking a good game publicly, but in private talking and acting differently. So I’m not surprised he has been found out.”
When Mr. Duncan was recorded he was not in the vision, but his voice can be clearly heard, and the film was posted on the Don’t Panic website at the end of the last month.
Birmingham riot indicates lack of social cohesion II
A expanded piece based on yesterday:
Police have arrested 33 people during a demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism and counter-protest by anti-fascists in Birmingham, BBC News Online reports.
The demonstration was made up of football fans who called themselves the English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United.
The counter-protest was organised by campaign group United Against Fascism, West Midlands Police told the BBC.
The riot came after the Defence League and Casuals United clashed with Asian men backed by United Against Fascism activists. The conflict took place in front of shocked shoppers at the Bull Ring shopping centre, Robert Booth and Alan Travis wrote on the Guardian.
The English Defence League, described itself as “a mixed race group of English people, from business men and women, to football hooligans”. They gathered outside Waterstone’s bookshop in a planned demonstration against militant Islam.
On the other side, United Against Fascism mounted a counter demonstration, telling its supporters that “everyone in the area should come along and show these thugs that their brand of vicious racism is not wanted in Birmingham or the West Midlands”.
According to the BBC, three people were injured in the disturbance in the city centre, and West Midlands Police said a “post operation investigation” was under way.
The police also said it expected the number of arrests to increase as photographs and video images are studied.
A police spokesman told the BBC that anyone found to be taken part in acts of criminality during the protests will be prosecuted.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more reports expect to emerge soon.
Resident, Gary Nichols, witnessed the disturbances on Saturday evening from his city centre flat and told the BBC he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
“It was very disheartening,” he said, “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in the three years I’ve lived here.”
“It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting ‘England, England’. I thought they were just football fans, but then a large group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.”
He the added: “You have people burning the Union Flag, people were being kicked – some of them weren’t anything to do with the protests”.
Superintendent Matt Ward, from the West Midlands Police, said on the police website there had been similar protests against Islamic fundamentalism in July, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said July’s protest had been “vocal” but peaceful.
However, interestingly, the riot in Birmingham’s city centre was rarely covered by other UK publications apart from the BBC and the Guardian. Even in the BBC report, it did not clarify the injured ones’ race, and most probably the “lack of media coverage” aims to protect and promote “social cohesion”.
Some bloggers have subsequently made comments online saying this type of incident indicates that multiculturalism in this country does not work well. Different races in Birmingham appear to not particularly get on with one another.
Police have arrested 33 people during a demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism and counter-protest by anti-fascists in Birmingham, BBC News Online reports.
The demonstration was made up of football fans who called themselves the English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United.
The counter-protest was organised by campaign group United Against Fascism, West Midlands Police told the BBC.
The riot came after the Defence League and Casuals United clashed with Asian men backed by United Against Fascism activists. The conflict took place in front of shocked shoppers at the Bull Ring shopping centre, Robert Booth and Alan Travis wrote on the Guardian.
The English Defence League, described itself as “a mixed race group of English people, from business men and women, to football hooligans”. They gathered outside Waterstone’s bookshop in a planned demonstration against militant Islam.
On the other side, United Against Fascism mounted a counter demonstration, telling its supporters that “everyone in the area should come along and show these thugs that their brand of vicious racism is not wanted in Birmingham or the West Midlands”.
According to the BBC, three people were injured in the disturbance in the city centre, and West Midlands Police said a “post operation investigation” was under way.
The police also said it expected the number of arrests to increase as photographs and video images are studied.
A police spokesman told the BBC that anyone found to be taken part in acts of criminality during the protests will be prosecuted.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more reports expect to emerge soon.
Resident, Gary Nichols, witnessed the disturbances on Saturday evening from his city centre flat and told the BBC he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
“It was very disheartening,” he said, “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in the three years I’ve lived here.”
“It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting ‘England, England’. I thought they were just football fans, but then a large group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.”
He the added: “You have people burning the Union Flag, people were being kicked – some of them weren’t anything to do with the protests”.
Superintendent Matt Ward, from the West Midlands Police, said on the police website there had been similar protests against Islamic fundamentalism in July, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said July’s protest had been “vocal” but peaceful.
However, interestingly, the riot in Birmingham’s city centre was rarely covered by other UK publications apart from the BBC and the Guardian. Even in the BBC report, it did not clarify the injured ones’ race, and most probably the “lack of media coverage” aims to protect and promote “social cohesion”.
Some bloggers have subsequently made comments online saying this type of incident indicates that multiculturalism in this country does not work well. Different races in Birmingham appear to not particularly get on with one another.
Wednesday 12 August 2009
Pakistan's nuclear bases targeted by al-Qaeda Report Says
Pakistan’s nuclear weapon bases have been attacked by al-Qaeda and the Taliban at least three times in the last two years, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.
The allegations, by a leading British expert on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, increased fears that terrorists could acquire a nuclear device or could trigger a nuclear disaster by bombing an atomic facility.
Dean Nelson wrote in a paper for the respected anti-terrorism journal of America’s West Point Military Academy, Professor Gregory, director of the Pakistan Security Research Unit at Bradford University, detailed three attacks since November 2007 and raised spectre of more incidents could be happened in the future.
He said in The Daily Telegraph that militants had struck a nuclear storage facility at Sarghoda on 1 Nov 2007; launched a suicide bomb assault on a nuclear air base at Kamra on 10 December 2007; and set off explosions at entrance points to Wah containment, one of Pakistan’s main nuclear assembly plants in August 2008.
However, Dr Anupam Srivastava, director of the centre for international Trade and Security at Georgia University, who has advised the US government on nuclear security issues, told The Daily Telegraph he believed there had been more than three attacks on Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and the al-Qaeda militants would intensify its assaults.
The attack on Wah, Dean Nelson wrote that was at the time as the deadliest terrorist strike against Pakistan’s armed forces, with 63 people killed in two suicide bombing.
The target was referred to as major conventional weapons and ammunition on manufacturing factory, but Prof Gregory and other analysts do not agree and said it is in fact an assembly plant for nuclear warheads.
“These sites are all identified by various authorities as nuclear weapons or related sites,” Prof Gregory said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Pakistan’s nuclear weapons establishments are protected with heavily armed soldiers who patrol a wide security cordon, while inside state-of-the-art sensors intruders.
Other security facilities including employees are screened by vetting staff from its Strategic Plans Division and officials from its ISI intelligence service.
Warheads, detonators and launch vehicles are stored separately to prevent them being seized together.
However despite this “robust” security system, Prof Gregory said the facilities remain vulnerable because they re located in areas where “Taliban and Qaeda are more than capable of launching terrorist attack”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
The allegations, by a leading British expert on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, increased fears that terrorists could acquire a nuclear device or could trigger a nuclear disaster by bombing an atomic facility.
Dean Nelson wrote in a paper for the respected anti-terrorism journal of America’s West Point Military Academy, Professor Gregory, director of the Pakistan Security Research Unit at Bradford University, detailed three attacks since November 2007 and raised spectre of more incidents could be happened in the future.
He said in The Daily Telegraph that militants had struck a nuclear storage facility at Sarghoda on 1 Nov 2007; launched a suicide bomb assault on a nuclear air base at Kamra on 10 December 2007; and set off explosions at entrance points to Wah containment, one of Pakistan’s main nuclear assembly plants in August 2008.
However, Dr Anupam Srivastava, director of the centre for international Trade and Security at Georgia University, who has advised the US government on nuclear security issues, told The Daily Telegraph he believed there had been more than three attacks on Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and the al-Qaeda militants would intensify its assaults.
The attack on Wah, Dean Nelson wrote that was at the time as the deadliest terrorist strike against Pakistan’s armed forces, with 63 people killed in two suicide bombing.
The target was referred to as major conventional weapons and ammunition on manufacturing factory, but Prof Gregory and other analysts do not agree and said it is in fact an assembly plant for nuclear warheads.
“These sites are all identified by various authorities as nuclear weapons or related sites,” Prof Gregory said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Pakistan’s nuclear weapons establishments are protected with heavily armed soldiers who patrol a wide security cordon, while inside state-of-the-art sensors intruders.
Other security facilities including employees are screened by vetting staff from its Strategic Plans Division and officials from its ISI intelligence service.
Warheads, detonators and launch vehicles are stored separately to prevent them being seized together.
However despite this “robust” security system, Prof Gregory said the facilities remain vulnerable because they re located in areas where “Taliban and Qaeda are more than capable of launching terrorist attack”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Barack Obama health care reform row
US President Barack Obama has accused the Republicans of trying to “scare the heck” out of people in terms of his health care reform proposals, BBC News Online reports.
Anti-reform campaigners had created “bogeymen out there that just aren’t real”, he said at a town-hall style meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “Let’s disagree over things that are real, not these wild representations that bear no resemblance to anything that has actually been proposed,” says The Daily Telegraph.
Passing a healthcare reform bill is Mr Obama’s top domestic priority for 2009, the President had already called on the Senate and the House to agree their own versions of a bill before the August, but unfortunately lawmakers missed the deadline.
Republicans have portrayed Mr Obama’s health care plans as amounting to a government takeover of the private American healthcare system, leading to a British-or Canadian-style approach.
Mr Obama tried to turn the focus onto insurance companies, arguing that Americans were often “held hostage” because they were denied coverage or charged fees they could not afford, Toby Harnden writes on The Daily Telegraph.
He said: “I believe it is wrong, it is bankrupting families and businesses and that is why we’re going to pass health insurance reform in 2009.”
He insisted: “You will not be waiting in any lines. This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance. I don’t believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions but you and your doctor.
“I don’t think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don’t think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That’s the health care I believe in.”
Apart from these accusations made by his Republican opponent, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate said last week the president wanted to set up “death panels” of government officials with the power to determine whether disabled or elderly Americans are “worthy of healthcare”, the BBC reports.
However in fact, under proposals drawn up by the US House of Representatives, the government would pay for elderly American to receive voluntary consultations with doctors to discuss their end-of-life care.
“The rumour that’s been circulating a lot lately is this idea that somehow the House of Representatives voted for death panels that will basically pull the plug on Grandma because we’ve decided that its too expensive to let her live anymore,” said Mr Obama.
“It turns out that I guess this arose out of a provision in one of the House bills that allowed Medicare to reimburse people for consultations about end-of-life-care, setting up living wills, the availability of hospice, etcetera.
“So the intention of the members of Congress was to give people more information so that they could handle issues of end-of-life care when they’re ready, on their own terms. It wasn’t forcing anybody to do anything,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
Anti-reform campaigners had created “bogeymen out there that just aren’t real”, he said at a town-hall style meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “Let’s disagree over things that are real, not these wild representations that bear no resemblance to anything that has actually been proposed,” says The Daily Telegraph.
Passing a healthcare reform bill is Mr Obama’s top domestic priority for 2009, the President had already called on the Senate and the House to agree their own versions of a bill before the August, but unfortunately lawmakers missed the deadline.
Republicans have portrayed Mr Obama’s health care plans as amounting to a government takeover of the private American healthcare system, leading to a British-or Canadian-style approach.
Mr Obama tried to turn the focus onto insurance companies, arguing that Americans were often “held hostage” because they were denied coverage or charged fees they could not afford, Toby Harnden writes on The Daily Telegraph.
He said: “I believe it is wrong, it is bankrupting families and businesses and that is why we’re going to pass health insurance reform in 2009.”
He insisted: “You will not be waiting in any lines. This is not about putting the government in charge of your health insurance. I don’t believe anyone should be in charge of your health insurance decisions but you and your doctor.
“I don’t think government bureaucrats should be meddling, but I also don’t think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling. That’s the health care I believe in.”
Apart from these accusations made by his Republican opponent, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate said last week the president wanted to set up “death panels” of government officials with the power to determine whether disabled or elderly Americans are “worthy of healthcare”, the BBC reports.
However in fact, under proposals drawn up by the US House of Representatives, the government would pay for elderly American to receive voluntary consultations with doctors to discuss their end-of-life care.
“The rumour that’s been circulating a lot lately is this idea that somehow the House of Representatives voted for death panels that will basically pull the plug on Grandma because we’ve decided that its too expensive to let her live anymore,” said Mr Obama.
“It turns out that I guess this arose out of a provision in one of the House bills that allowed Medicare to reimburse people for consultations about end-of-life-care, setting up living wills, the availability of hospice, etcetera.
“So the intention of the members of Congress was to give people more information so that they could handle issues of end-of-life care when they’re ready, on their own terms. It wasn’t forcing anybody to do anything,” The Daily Telegraph reports.
Middle class parents “dismiss” private school
The growing number of middle-class parents who cannot afford to move house or pay private school fee creates a places crisis in state schools, The Daily Telegraph quotes a Watchdog’s warning.
According to the Audit Commission (AC), increasing demand for state school places during the economic downturn means some state schools will have to resort to teaching pupils in temporary classrooms.
The commission, which monitors council services, discloses the pressure on state schools in a report assessing the way councils are responding to the recession.
The report says 34 per cent of councils are reporting increased demand for school places. Another 34 per cent of councils are anticipating higher demand in the months ahead.
However in last December, the commission found that only 9 per cent of councils had experienced increased demand.
“There is evidence of behaviour change due to the recession: children moving from private to state sector schools,” the AC said.
“This has partly been driven by rising unemployment, but may also be linked to the slowdown of the property market halting a common practice of young families moving out of central urban areas as the children reach school age.
Other UK publications like the Daily Mail also wrote similar issue on 16 July, saying primary schools are facing a crisis over places because of the recession.
Laura Clark wrote that hundreds of four and five-year-olds yet to be allocated to a school just weeks before the new term starts, while thousands will have to be bussed to primaries miles from their home.
One in five councils is reporting increased pressure on places, while complaints about admissions have risen 50 per cent to record high.
Back to The Daily Telegraph, Steve Bundred, the chief executive of the AC says that the surge in demand for states school places would leave some children being educated in temporary structures.
He says: “Councils will need to provide the places that are demanded and in some places, that will mean temporary classrooms,” he said. “There will be practical difficulties providing all the places that are demanded.
However, the Department of Children, Schools and Families questioned the commission’s claims, saying that “We are not getting a national picture that pupils are being pulled out of private schools and placing additional demands on the state sector for schools places, but it is too early to tell what the long-term impact of the recession will be.”
Ed Balls, the School Secretary, last month announced an extra £200 million for councils to provide more primary places, but council leaders say that is not enough.
According to the Audit Commission (AC), increasing demand for state school places during the economic downturn means some state schools will have to resort to teaching pupils in temporary classrooms.
The commission, which monitors council services, discloses the pressure on state schools in a report assessing the way councils are responding to the recession.
The report says 34 per cent of councils are reporting increased demand for school places. Another 34 per cent of councils are anticipating higher demand in the months ahead.
However in last December, the commission found that only 9 per cent of councils had experienced increased demand.
“There is evidence of behaviour change due to the recession: children moving from private to state sector schools,” the AC said.
“This has partly been driven by rising unemployment, but may also be linked to the slowdown of the property market halting a common practice of young families moving out of central urban areas as the children reach school age.
Other UK publications like the Daily Mail also wrote similar issue on 16 July, saying primary schools are facing a crisis over places because of the recession.
Laura Clark wrote that hundreds of four and five-year-olds yet to be allocated to a school just weeks before the new term starts, while thousands will have to be bussed to primaries miles from their home.
One in five councils is reporting increased pressure on places, while complaints about admissions have risen 50 per cent to record high.
Back to The Daily Telegraph, Steve Bundred, the chief executive of the AC says that the surge in demand for states school places would leave some children being educated in temporary structures.
He says: “Councils will need to provide the places that are demanded and in some places, that will mean temporary classrooms,” he said. “There will be practical difficulties providing all the places that are demanded.
However, the Department of Children, Schools and Families questioned the commission’s claims, saying that “We are not getting a national picture that pupils are being pulled out of private schools and placing additional demands on the state sector for schools places, but it is too early to tell what the long-term impact of the recession will be.”
Ed Balls, the School Secretary, last month announced an extra £200 million for councils to provide more primary places, but council leaders say that is not enough.
Birmingham riot indicates lack of social cohesion
Police have arrested 33 people during a demonstration against Islamic fundamentalism and counter-protest by anti-fascists in Birmingham, BBC News Online reports.
The demonstration was made up of football fans and calling themselves the English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United.
The counter-protest was organised by campaign group United Against Fascism, West Midlands Police told the BBC.
Three people were injured in the disturbance in the city centre, and West Midlands Police said a “post operation investigation” was under way.
The police also said it expected the number of arrests to increase as photographs and video images are studied.
A police spokesman told the BBC anyone found to be taken part in acts of criminality will be prosecuted.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more were expected.
Resident Gary Nichols witnessed the disturbances on Saturday evening from his city centre flat and told the BBC he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
“It was very disheartening,” He said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in the three years I’ve lived here.”
“It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting ‘England, England’. I thought they were just football fans, but then a large group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.
He the added: “You have people burning the Union Flag, people were being kicked – some of them weren’t anything to do with the protests”.
Superintendent Matt Ward from the West Midlands Police, said on the police website there had been similar protest against Islamic fundamentalism in July, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said July’s protest had been “vocal” but peaceful.
However, interestingly, the riot in Birmingham city centre was not reported in other UK publications apart from the BBC, and even in the BBC report, it did not clarify the injured ones’ race, and most probably the “lack of media coverage” aims to protect and promote “social cohesion”.
Some of the bloggers also made comments online saying it might indicates that multiculturalism in this country do not work well and different races in Birmingham do not particularly get on with each other.
The demonstration was made up of football fans and calling themselves the English and Welsh Defence League and Casuals United.
The counter-protest was organised by campaign group United Against Fascism, West Midlands Police told the BBC.
Three people were injured in the disturbance in the city centre, and West Midlands Police said a “post operation investigation” was under way.
The police also said it expected the number of arrests to increase as photographs and video images are studied.
A police spokesman told the BBC anyone found to be taken part in acts of criminality will be prosecuted.
There was one report of criminal damage to a vehicle, but more were expected.
Resident Gary Nichols witnessed the disturbances on Saturday evening from his city centre flat and told the BBC he was unable to go outside for about two and a half hours.
“It was very disheartening,” He said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it before in the three years I’ve lived here.”
“It started off with a group of white guys who were chanting ‘England, England’. I thought they were just football fans, but then a large group of black and Asian people turned up and it all kicked off.
He the added: “You have people burning the Union Flag, people were being kicked – some of them weren’t anything to do with the protests”.
Superintendent Matt Ward from the West Midlands Police, said on the police website there had been similar protest against Islamic fundamentalism in July, involving 70 to 90 people.
He said July’s protest had been “vocal” but peaceful.
However, interestingly, the riot in Birmingham city centre was not reported in other UK publications apart from the BBC, and even in the BBC report, it did not clarify the injured ones’ race, and most probably the “lack of media coverage” aims to protect and promote “social cohesion”.
Some of the bloggers also made comments online saying it might indicates that multiculturalism in this country do not work well and different races in Birmingham do not particularly get on with each other.
Tuesday 11 August 2009
Barack Obama's NAACP Speech “Missed the Boat”
Barack Obama's NAACP speech in the New York Times reportedly “missed the boat”– because journalists did not understand what he was talking about, Sorn Jessen says in the Guardian.
The article, Obama tells fellow blacks: 'No excuses' for any failure, published in the New York Times reported a 45 minutes speech and the related issues, which were addressed by the President, Barack Obama, to his mainly black audience.
People gathered in New York City to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation’s largest civil rights organisation.
Jessen claims the News York Times missed the point of what Obama was saying due to “unrecognised cultural blind-spots”. He first questions if the New York Times reporters ever go to church. If they don’t this would limit their understanding, as the speech appeared to be written in a sermon style, with a soft tone.
He says the structure of Obama’s speech is different from the structure of an ordinary political speech, and he thinks if journalists were more familiar with pulpit pounding, then they would have understood what Obama was trying to say.
Secondly, he says American mainstream society has two stereotypes when it comes to talks about minorities. Either members of minority groups are portrayed as drunk, lazy good-for-nothing, or they are pictured as noble savages resisting the incursions of the evil white man.
Sorn Jessen continues to argue that the sermon was reported in a lazy, half-assed way by the New York Times, but the speech was meant to be and was, in fact, inspiring.
He thought in the New York Times article, the two sides are fused and people get both types of stereotypes. On the one hand, there’s the noble savage stereotype in Barack Obama. On the other hand, there is an element in the original article, of the “good” minority who has come back to tell the “bad” minority how to adopt the white man’s ways and be successful.
He thought the problem with this entire way of reporting is that somewhere in the fusion of stereotypes, people lose their humanity.
Sorn Jessen then addressed in his article, entitled A sermon from Obama, that Obama’s speech was a sermon, and the best sermons in his mind are the ones where people are preached to both individually and collectively.
Collectively, the president brings everyone into contact with their history. Individually, he relates his own struggle to the individual struggles of the audience members. The end result is to give strength to the individual by preaching a collective message of hope, and to inspire the collective by preaching an individual message of perseverance.
Jessen maintains that Obama used the individual stories of people like Moses Wright to give strength and a voice to the communal experience of African-Americans.
“Of course the New York Times journalists got it wrong” - Sorn Jessen concludes in his article in the Guardian.
He says the confusion occurred because the journalists do not understand the tradition, and they do not understand the dynamic between the individual and his group. He argues that if the reporters went to church a bit more, or if they stopped viewing ethnic minorities as monolithic communities, they might get a bit more right
The article, Obama tells fellow blacks: 'No excuses' for any failure, published in the New York Times reported a 45 minutes speech and the related issues, which were addressed by the President, Barack Obama, to his mainly black audience.
People gathered in New York City to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation’s largest civil rights organisation.
Jessen claims the News York Times missed the point of what Obama was saying due to “unrecognised cultural blind-spots”. He first questions if the New York Times reporters ever go to church. If they don’t this would limit their understanding, as the speech appeared to be written in a sermon style, with a soft tone.
He says the structure of Obama’s speech is different from the structure of an ordinary political speech, and he thinks if journalists were more familiar with pulpit pounding, then they would have understood what Obama was trying to say.
Secondly, he says American mainstream society has two stereotypes when it comes to talks about minorities. Either members of minority groups are portrayed as drunk, lazy good-for-nothing, or they are pictured as noble savages resisting the incursions of the evil white man.
Sorn Jessen continues to argue that the sermon was reported in a lazy, half-assed way by the New York Times, but the speech was meant to be and was, in fact, inspiring.
He thought in the New York Times article, the two sides are fused and people get both types of stereotypes. On the one hand, there’s the noble savage stereotype in Barack Obama. On the other hand, there is an element in the original article, of the “good” minority who has come back to tell the “bad” minority how to adopt the white man’s ways and be successful.
He thought the problem with this entire way of reporting is that somewhere in the fusion of stereotypes, people lose their humanity.
Sorn Jessen then addressed in his article, entitled A sermon from Obama, that Obama’s speech was a sermon, and the best sermons in his mind are the ones where people are preached to both individually and collectively.
Collectively, the president brings everyone into contact with their history. Individually, he relates his own struggle to the individual struggles of the audience members. The end result is to give strength to the individual by preaching a collective message of hope, and to inspire the collective by preaching an individual message of perseverance.
Jessen maintains that Obama used the individual stories of people like Moses Wright to give strength and a voice to the communal experience of African-Americans.
“Of course the New York Times journalists got it wrong” - Sorn Jessen concludes in his article in the Guardian.
He says the confusion occurred because the journalists do not understand the tradition, and they do not understand the dynamic between the individual and his group. He argues that if the reporters went to church a bit more, or if they stopped viewing ethnic minorities as monolithic communities, they might get a bit more right
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