Saturday 27 June 2009
Defence, security and intelligence grandees will next week launch a critique of the government’s strategy for dealing with terror. The report will recommend that the government ensures that its own agents employ only legal methods and robustly challenge alleged or suspected torture.
The two year study concludes that a commitment to the rule of law at home and abroad and a willingness to uphold and protect human rights are fundamental to the legitimacy of a national security strategy. It also examines the Prevent strategy to counter radicalization and terrorism within Britain and warns that there have been occasion where enforcement activity has backfired.
The security says that a divided and grievance-ridden society is unlikely to prove a resilient one when subjected to the extreme disruptions that future security scenarios might bring.
vrijdag 26 juni 2009
Serena Williams charges through to fourth round at Wimbledon
Friday 26 June 2009
Serena Williams moved into the fourth round at Wimbledon with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win over Roberta Vinci.
Vinci dropped her opening service game but came back in the next game from a miss-hit and a rare double fault from Williams. Williams broke at the start of the second set and had break points for a double-break in the third game before Vinci recovered.
Vinci could not claw back the second break and saved two match points before the American eventually served out to wrap up a 6-3 6-4 win in an hour and 7 minutes.
Serena Williams moved into the fourth round at Wimbledon with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 win over Roberta Vinci.
Vinci dropped her opening service game but came back in the next game from a miss-hit and a rare double fault from Williams. Williams broke at the start of the second set and had break points for a double-break in the third game before Vinci recovered.
Vinci could not claw back the second break and saved two match points before the American eventually served out to wrap up a 6-3 6-4 win in an hour and 7 minutes.
Brazil into final after Dani Alves leaves it late to break South Africa's resistance
Thursday 25 June 2009
Brazil’s Daniel Alves broke South Africa’s heart with an 88th-minute free-kick that dumped the host out of the Confederations Cup with a 1-0 semi-final victory in Johannesburg.
The first shot at the goal came from Luis Fabiano after 13 minutes, he fires a low shot from inside the box that forced a save from Itumeleng Khune. South Africa responded a 20-yard shot that flew across the face of the Brazil goal. Both countries created more opportunities but neither made a goal.
With only nine minutes remaining the Brazilian manager looked to change things by introducing Alves for Santos and for whatever reason he made the change, it worked.
I do not watch soccer, but my dad does so I am forced to watch it too downstairs. I think it is sad that the host is now out of the competition, they were doing so well so far.
Brazil’s Daniel Alves broke South Africa’s heart with an 88th-minute free-kick that dumped the host out of the Confederations Cup with a 1-0 semi-final victory in Johannesburg.
The first shot at the goal came from Luis Fabiano after 13 minutes, he fires a low shot from inside the box that forced a save from Itumeleng Khune. South Africa responded a 20-yard shot that flew across the face of the Brazil goal. Both countries created more opportunities but neither made a goal.
With only nine minutes remaining the Brazilian manager looked to change things by introducing Alves for Santos and for whatever reason he made the change, it worked.
I do not watch soccer, but my dad does so I am forced to watch it too downstairs. I think it is sad that the host is now out of the competition, they were doing so well so far.
Woman trampled to death by cows to be named
Monday 22 June 2009
A woman who was killed when she was charged by a herd of cows on Saturday is expected to be named later today after her relatives have been informed. The woman was trampled to death while walking her two dogs which are believed to have made the herd frightened.
The cows, which were with their calves, attacked the woman and surrounded her before she could escape. Judith Hynes, who owns a local guesthouse, said that many people do not realize the dangers posed by cattle, especially when they have calves and are protective. Cattle will protect their young and feel threatened by the dogs. It’s the dogs the cattle are usually concerned with, not the owners.
Last year another dog walker was killed in a similar incident in Suffolk. She was knocked to the ground and trampled after trying to bring her 2 dogs under control.
I was surprised to read that cows killed a woman, I never knew they would do that. After reading the explanation it became a little more clear on why they did. But it is still very sad that this happened.
A woman who was killed when she was charged by a herd of cows on Saturday is expected to be named later today after her relatives have been informed. The woman was trampled to death while walking her two dogs which are believed to have made the herd frightened.
The cows, which were with their calves, attacked the woman and surrounded her before she could escape. Judith Hynes, who owns a local guesthouse, said that many people do not realize the dangers posed by cattle, especially when they have calves and are protective. Cattle will protect their young and feel threatened by the dogs. It’s the dogs the cattle are usually concerned with, not the owners.
Last year another dog walker was killed in a similar incident in Suffolk. She was knocked to the ground and trampled after trying to bring her 2 dogs under control.
I was surprised to read that cows killed a woman, I never knew they would do that. After reading the explanation it became a little more clear on why they did. But it is still very sad that this happened.
Teenage babysitter murdered two-year-old girl
Friday 26 June 2009
A 15-year-old babysitter was today convicted of the murder of a two-year-old girl who was beaten and suffered 68 injuries while her mother was shopping. The girl, Demi, was bitten, beaten and had her hair sheared off by Karl McCluney who was looking after her for 90 minutes.
Manchester crown court heard that McCluney took Demi to a park before attacking her at a flat in Eccles, Greater Manchester, then watching television as she lay injured. The mother, heroin user Ann Marie McDonald, told the jury she had left her daughter with McCluney several times. She returned that day to find him standing outside the house and he tols her: “I picked her up – I might have hurt her – and she fell in the park.” She screamed at him and asked him why he hadn’t called an ambulance. He claimed: “I haven’t done nothing.”
The local authority admitted it failed to initiate a child protection investigation despite the threshold being met. The professional focus was focused on the mother, she regularly missed medical appointments and lied about her drug use and overdose on heroin.
McCluney attempted to cover up responsibility by telling a series of lies. A psychiatrist said that McCluney suffered from an unsocialised conduct disorder and had a below- normal IQ.
I think it is really sad that this happened to such young children, both the girl and for the boy. I would really like to know what happened with this boy that he killed a 2 year old girl.
A 15-year-old babysitter was today convicted of the murder of a two-year-old girl who was beaten and suffered 68 injuries while her mother was shopping. The girl, Demi, was bitten, beaten and had her hair sheared off by Karl McCluney who was looking after her for 90 minutes.
Manchester crown court heard that McCluney took Demi to a park before attacking her at a flat in Eccles, Greater Manchester, then watching television as she lay injured. The mother, heroin user Ann Marie McDonald, told the jury she had left her daughter with McCluney several times. She returned that day to find him standing outside the house and he tols her: “I picked her up – I might have hurt her – and she fell in the park.” She screamed at him and asked him why he hadn’t called an ambulance. He claimed: “I haven’t done nothing.”
The local authority admitted it failed to initiate a child protection investigation despite the threshold being met. The professional focus was focused on the mother, she regularly missed medical appointments and lied about her drug use and overdose on heroin.
McCluney attempted to cover up responsibility by telling a series of lies. A psychiatrist said that McCluney suffered from an unsocialised conduct disorder and had a below- normal IQ.
I think it is really sad that this happened to such young children, both the girl and for the boy. I would really like to know what happened with this boy that he killed a 2 year old girl.
woensdag 24 juni 2009
Drop-out students get help to finish their degrees at home
Wednesday 24 June 2009
The government wants to set up a fund of £12 million to give some of the 35.000 students who drop out every year a chance to complete their degree online through the Open University. The Higher Education Statistics Agency reported that in 2007 7.4% of younger graduates dropped out during their first year at university, up from 7.1% the year before. The Higher Education Funding Council for England hopes that 15% of the 35.000 who drop out each year can be encouraged to complete their degree at home instead of doing it at university.
Earlier this week the government announced a separate £20 million fund to support online learning. Last week Wes Streeting, the head of the National Union of Students argued that lectured should be replaced with more virtual learning.
I think the governmnet did good to invest some money in online learning, a lot of students prefer sitting at home with the internet over sitting in a classroom.
The government wants to set up a fund of £12 million to give some of the 35.000 students who drop out every year a chance to complete their degree online through the Open University. The Higher Education Statistics Agency reported that in 2007 7.4% of younger graduates dropped out during their first year at university, up from 7.1% the year before. The Higher Education Funding Council for England hopes that 15% of the 35.000 who drop out each year can be encouraged to complete their degree at home instead of doing it at university.
Earlier this week the government announced a separate £20 million fund to support online learning. Last week Wes Streeting, the head of the National Union of Students argued that lectured should be replaced with more virtual learning.
I think the governmnet did good to invest some money in online learning, a lot of students prefer sitting at home with the internet over sitting in a classroom.
zondag 21 juni 2009
Terror alert system too late for Olympics
Sunday 21 June 2009
A £1.4bn critical response system to ensure emergency services can deal with a major incident is now running so far behind schedule that it is unlikely to be ready for the London 2012 Olympics, according to leaked documents.
The FiReControl system is described as critical for protecting public safety and increasing the nation’s resilience and the government claims that once it is up and running it will meet industrial accidents, terrorist threat and weather-related incidents –a reference to the dramatic floods of the recent years. The system will link all fire and rescue control centers via nine regional hubs and will cost £380m to set up. It automatically channels emergency calls to available operators. Satellite positioning equipment monitors the whereabouts of each of each emergency vehicle so control centers can establish whether it is the best recourse for an incident. The system was supposed to be completed at the end of 2007, but a series of delays has pushed it back years. The fire service wanted the system in place at least 12 months before the games started to allow it to sort out any teething problems. But leaked documents show that the project will not actually be completed until after the London games.
Delaying the system’s introduction until after the games raised the questions about whether the capital could cope with a major incident during the event. The only option now is to improve the existing system rather than introduce a new one. “The project is years late, over-budget, and government remains unable to convince the fire service they can make it work properly,” said the Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary, Andy Dark. “To continue with these plans in this state is entirely irresponsible.”
I think that it is a shame that they cannot get the system to work before the Olympics. That way they would be able to know whenever and wherever there is an accident of some sort. But if they can improve the existing system it will probably be ok too.
A £1.4bn critical response system to ensure emergency services can deal with a major incident is now running so far behind schedule that it is unlikely to be ready for the London 2012 Olympics, according to leaked documents.
The FiReControl system is described as critical for protecting public safety and increasing the nation’s resilience and the government claims that once it is up and running it will meet industrial accidents, terrorist threat and weather-related incidents –a reference to the dramatic floods of the recent years. The system will link all fire and rescue control centers via nine regional hubs and will cost £380m to set up. It automatically channels emergency calls to available operators. Satellite positioning equipment monitors the whereabouts of each of each emergency vehicle so control centers can establish whether it is the best recourse for an incident. The system was supposed to be completed at the end of 2007, but a series of delays has pushed it back years. The fire service wanted the system in place at least 12 months before the games started to allow it to sort out any teething problems. But leaked documents show that the project will not actually be completed until after the London games.
Delaying the system’s introduction until after the games raised the questions about whether the capital could cope with a major incident during the event. The only option now is to improve the existing system rather than introduce a new one. “The project is years late, over-budget, and government remains unable to convince the fire service they can make it work properly,” said the Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary, Andy Dark. “To continue with these plans in this state is entirely irresponsible.”
I think that it is a shame that they cannot get the system to work before the Olympics. That way they would be able to know whenever and wherever there is an accident of some sort. But if they can improve the existing system it will probably be ok too.
Cricket: Holland vs. England
Friday 5 June 2009
England faces the chance of being thrown out of their own party at the very first stage of the World Twenty20 after a humiliating defeat by Holland in the opening match. England must now beat Pakistan in their remaining group match and hope they can squeeze through on net run rate. If they fail they will perhaps be looking at some warm-down matches over the next few days. Holland beat England before in 1989 and 1993, but both games were essentially hit-and-giggle matches. This time the only giggling came from Australia and Pakistan camps as England were fairly beaten by one of the three qualifiers in their worst ever one-day defeat.
Before the match a lot of people were disappointed to see England, a full member of the ICC, play against Holland, an associate member. Everyone thought that England versus Pakistan would have been a much more attractive competition opener. At first this World20 launcher was one that few people wanted to watch. The rain did not help and the cancellation of the opening ceremony did not either. First it was delayed, then cancelled and finally it was decided to only carry on with some long and boring speeches.
England was looking to get up to 170-180, but Holland bowled well at the back end of England’s innings and England should have defended a total like that, but unfortunately Holland was better on that day.
In the end it was England’s 162-5 to Holland’s 163-6. Holland won by four wickets.
I was very surprised when I saw on tv that Holland had won, I did not even know Holland had a national cricket team. England is usually a very strong team, therefor I was very surprised Holland won from them.
England faces the chance of being thrown out of their own party at the very first stage of the World Twenty20 after a humiliating defeat by Holland in the opening match. England must now beat Pakistan in their remaining group match and hope they can squeeze through on net run rate. If they fail they will perhaps be looking at some warm-down matches over the next few days. Holland beat England before in 1989 and 1993, but both games were essentially hit-and-giggle matches. This time the only giggling came from Australia and Pakistan camps as England were fairly beaten by one of the three qualifiers in their worst ever one-day defeat.
Before the match a lot of people were disappointed to see England, a full member of the ICC, play against Holland, an associate member. Everyone thought that England versus Pakistan would have been a much more attractive competition opener. At first this World20 launcher was one that few people wanted to watch. The rain did not help and the cancellation of the opening ceremony did not either. First it was delayed, then cancelled and finally it was decided to only carry on with some long and boring speeches.
England was looking to get up to 170-180, but Holland bowled well at the back end of England’s innings and England should have defended a total like that, but unfortunately Holland was better on that day.
In the end it was England’s 162-5 to Holland’s 163-6. Holland won by four wickets.
I was very surprised when I saw on tv that Holland had won, I did not even know Holland had a national cricket team. England is usually a very strong team, therefor I was very surprised Holland won from them.
maandag 8 juni 2009
Misery for social democrats as voters take a turn to the right
Monday 8 June 2009
The European mainstream centre-left parties suffered humiliation in the EU’s biggest-ever election. The results from the national rounds of the European parliament election across the twenty-seven member states also showed support for centre-right Christian democrats diminishing in places. In Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, the centre right won the elections. The result was slightly worse than a dismal performance five years ago that all the opinion polls had predicted would not be repeated. Anti-Brussels candidates and Eurosceptics also won more seats in Denmark, Finland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Analysts noted that the protest votes and victories for the right parties could also be ascribed to an election campaign in which leaders of key countries failed to project any persuasive pro-European vision in the midst of the most worrying economic crisis ever experienced by voters. Of the 736-seat assembly the centre right will have around 270 sets to the socialists 160.
The damning popular verdict on that assertion was the lowest turnout in thirty years. It was estimated at around 43%, compared with 45% last time, and 62% in Europe’s first election in 1979.
I did not vote for the European Parliament, because I did not know anything about the parties and their political views.
The European mainstream centre-left parties suffered humiliation in the EU’s biggest-ever election. The results from the national rounds of the European parliament election across the twenty-seven member states also showed support for centre-right Christian democrats diminishing in places. In Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, the centre right won the elections. The result was slightly worse than a dismal performance five years ago that all the opinion polls had predicted would not be repeated. Anti-Brussels candidates and Eurosceptics also won more seats in Denmark, Finland, Austria and the Czech Republic. Analysts noted that the protest votes and victories for the right parties could also be ascribed to an election campaign in which leaders of key countries failed to project any persuasive pro-European vision in the midst of the most worrying economic crisis ever experienced by voters. Of the 736-seat assembly the centre right will have around 270 sets to the socialists 160.
The damning popular verdict on that assertion was the lowest turnout in thirty years. It was estimated at around 43%, compared with 45% last time, and 62% in Europe’s first election in 1979.
I did not vote for the European Parliament, because I did not know anything about the parties and their political views.
zondag 24 mei 2009
How many trailers equal the whole movie?
Tuesday 12 May 2009
There are so many trailers for the sixth Harry Potter movie that Anna Pickard wonders if there is any real need to cough up admission for the actual movie.
After a quick search on the internet there are at least five official trailers. One for the younger audience, for the slightly older fans, for the super fans and one that hopefully catches the attention of the people who are not fans. Some trailers focus on the story as it fits in the books others focus on the story of one movie, one that someone just might want to see. But a lot of the messages in the will correspond with people who know the story, and not a lot of others.
In some parts of the trailers a character refers to something that happened in the rest of the film, which you cannot see in that specific trailer but you can see some of it in another.
One wonders how many more trailers one might need to piece the whole movie together without actually seeing the movie.
I think the writer of this article is right about the quantity of Harry Potter trailers. After seeing most of the trailers myself, I started thinking that most of the story of the sixth book is covered in all those trailers together. I will still go see the movie but it is a little disappointing to see so many plots in the trailers already.
There are so many trailers for the sixth Harry Potter movie that Anna Pickard wonders if there is any real need to cough up admission for the actual movie.
After a quick search on the internet there are at least five official trailers. One for the younger audience, for the slightly older fans, for the super fans and one that hopefully catches the attention of the people who are not fans. Some trailers focus on the story as it fits in the books others focus on the story of one movie, one that someone just might want to see. But a lot of the messages in the will correspond with people who know the story, and not a lot of others.
In some parts of the trailers a character refers to something that happened in the rest of the film, which you cannot see in that specific trailer but you can see some of it in another.
One wonders how many more trailers one might need to piece the whole movie together without actually seeing the movie.
I think the writer of this article is right about the quantity of Harry Potter trailers. After seeing most of the trailers myself, I started thinking that most of the story of the sixth book is covered in all those trailers together. I will still go see the movie but it is a little disappointing to see so many plots in the trailers already.
dinsdag 28 april 2009
Two French students murdered for 400 pounds
Last summer two French students were murdered in south-east London as a part of a robbery. Their two killers, the 23 year old Dano Sonnex and the 34 year old Nigel Farmer, subjected their victims to over two hours of torture with knifes, only to walk away with 360 pounds, a couple of telephones and two playstation games.
The two French students were on their way to Wimbledon to watch tennis but they had been unable to get tickets. They went to a pub to watch rugby instead and afterwards went to their bedsit that they had rented two months earlier. They were both asleep when a break-in occurred in the early hours of the morning. They could, however, not have anticipated that they would be subjected to being attacked with knifes. Later that night the flat was set on fire, probably to destroy any scientific evidence.
A next-door neighbor saw a man fleeing the fire and later identified Nigel Farmer. A week later Farmer walked into the police station and told the receptionist that he was the main suspect in the attack and was taken into custody. The court was told that he is claiming that he was scared of Sonnex and was forced to set the flat on fire. Sonnex was found shortly after and denied to have any connections to the murders. He is claiming that he only acted as a lookout for the burglary. The jury was told however, that Sonnex’s palm print was found inside the flat. Both men deny murder.
The two French students were on their way to Wimbledon to watch tennis but they had been unable to get tickets. They went to a pub to watch rugby instead and afterwards went to their bedsit that they had rented two months earlier. They were both asleep when a break-in occurred in the early hours of the morning. They could, however, not have anticipated that they would be subjected to being attacked with knifes. Later that night the flat was set on fire, probably to destroy any scientific evidence.
A next-door neighbor saw a man fleeing the fire and later identified Nigel Farmer. A week later Farmer walked into the police station and told the receptionist that he was the main suspect in the attack and was taken into custody. The court was told that he is claiming that he was scared of Sonnex and was forced to set the flat on fire. Sonnex was found shortly after and denied to have any connections to the murders. He is claiming that he only acted as a lookout for the burglary. The jury was told however, that Sonnex’s palm print was found inside the flat. Both men deny murder.
Threat to European biodiversity ‘as serious as climate change’
The natural world across Europe is suffering a crisis as serious as the threat of climate change, Europe’s environment chiefs are to warn this week at a major biodiversity conference in Athens.
A report from the European Environment Agency to be published next month sounds the alarm that most species and habitats across the continent are in poor condition and the risk of extinction continues to rise. The centre for Ecology & Hydrology said that the species at risk in the UK range from insects like the honeybee to mammals and birds such as otters and eagles. The losses threaten to undermine vital ecosystem services like clean water and fertile soils, which support both quality of life and the economy.
Much of the European economy relies on the fact that we have natural resources supporting everything. Some of the losses of wildlife and habitats are irreversible.
The loss of biodiversity is a global threat that is just as serious as climate change. The reasons we are losing biodiversity are well known: destruction of habitats, pollution, over-exploitation, invasive species and most recently climate change.
Globally, last year's annual "red list" of endangered species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned that the world's mammals face an extinction crisis, with almost one in four of 5,487 known species at risk of disappearing forever.
A report from the European Environment Agency to be published next month sounds the alarm that most species and habitats across the continent are in poor condition and the risk of extinction continues to rise. The centre for Ecology & Hydrology said that the species at risk in the UK range from insects like the honeybee to mammals and birds such as otters and eagles. The losses threaten to undermine vital ecosystem services like clean water and fertile soils, which support both quality of life and the economy.
Much of the European economy relies on the fact that we have natural resources supporting everything. Some of the losses of wildlife and habitats are irreversible.
The loss of biodiversity is a global threat that is just as serious as climate change. The reasons we are losing biodiversity are well known: destruction of habitats, pollution, over-exploitation, invasive species and most recently climate change.
Globally, last year's annual "red list" of endangered species from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned that the world's mammals face an extinction crisis, with almost one in four of 5,487 known species at risk of disappearing forever.
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