Escaped Chimp shot dead
The Sun, Sunday September 30, 2007
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007450412,00.html
Summary:
Yesterday, just after 10 am two chimpansees, named Jonnie and Coco escaped from their enclosure at Whipsnade zoo. Coco was quickly recaptured, but Jonnie wasn’t, staff ended up having to shoot Jonnie. People at the zoo were evacuated to safe areas or told to remain in their cars untill it was clear that the chimpansee enclosures were secure and the zoo was once again safe for the general public. No other animals or humans have been injured or killed in this incident, nor have any people been in danger.
An official investigation is underway to find out how this happened.
Opinion:
Bokito was potentially a ‘public safety hazard’ during his little eh, ‘walk around the zoo’ a while back. In fact Bokito is probably potentially more dangerous; male gorillas are much larger and stronger then chimpansees, yet Bokito was easily sedated and recaptured. This English zoo may have to revise policy and buy some sedatives to ‘knock out’ rather then kill any escapees. Maybe there is a reason for their conduct, but the article fails to mention it, which is a shortcoming really.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
So long Sellafield!
So long Sellafield!
The Sun, Sunday September 29, 2007
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007450396,00.html
Summary:
Sellafield is a nuclear power plant in Cumbria. It was officially opened on October 17, 1956 by Queen Elisabeth II. It was the first commercial nuclear power plant in Europe. During its long history Sellafield was controversial because of a number of scandals about radioactive contamination and (almost) accidents at the plant. After much debate and a public consultation, Sellafield stopped generating electricity in 2003. In June 2005 permisson to demolish two old and out of date cooling towers of Calder Hall was acquired. At nine a.m. today the first of the two 88 meter high towers was blown up.
Opinon:
Public trust in nuclear energy is low and Sellafield has simply seen TOO MUCH bad publicity about (supposed) radiation leaks and (almost accidents). Nuclear energy is useful and nuclear plants are an integral part of Europe’s electricity generation network. Also there is the need for radioactive products for certain medical sciences (treating certain types of cancer e.g.). However, any nuclear plant needs to be able to guarantee safety as much as is possible, Sellafield wasn’t up to it anymore and had to go.
The Sun, Sunday September 29, 2007
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007450396,00.html
Summary:
Sellafield is a nuclear power plant in Cumbria. It was officially opened on October 17, 1956 by Queen Elisabeth II. It was the first commercial nuclear power plant in Europe. During its long history Sellafield was controversial because of a number of scandals about radioactive contamination and (almost) accidents at the plant. After much debate and a public consultation, Sellafield stopped generating electricity in 2003. In June 2005 permisson to demolish two old and out of date cooling towers of Calder Hall was acquired. At nine a.m. today the first of the two 88 meter high towers was blown up.
Opinon:
Public trust in nuclear energy is low and Sellafield has simply seen TOO MUCH bad publicity about (supposed) radiation leaks and (almost accidents). Nuclear energy is useful and nuclear plants are an integral part of Europe’s electricity generation network. Also there is the need for radioactive products for certain medical sciences (treating certain types of cancer e.g.). However, any nuclear plant needs to be able to guarantee safety as much as is possible, Sellafield wasn’t up to it anymore and had to go.
Monday, September 24, 2007
If you want to get a job, get a life.
If you want to get a job, get a life.
Monday September 24 2007, The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/article2518124.ece
Summary:
The article is about many IT graduates being ‘geeks’ and lacking basic social and business skills. Companies however urgently seek computer technicians who have great technical skills and also charm. If they can’t find that in Europe, they will recuit in Asia. As the universities only teach students the technical parts of the IT business a “charm academy” should be launched. It would involve adding extra classes for business management, accounting and working in groups to the IT curriculum. This to help develop the ‘softer skills’ and also to get more women into IT as the percentage of women studying and working in the IT business is still low.
Opinion:
The article itself is a bit harsh on geeks. I hardly have a social life myself, having far more friends on the net than in real life, so I would sympathise with the geeks I think. As for companies, wanting people with business skills, I guess thats normal. The increased demand for ‘business skills’, ‘social skills’, ‘teamwork’ is seen in many sectors, not just IT. Social skills and business skills would be good parts of anyone’s education, not just IT.
Monday September 24 2007, The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/article2518124.ece
Summary:
The article is about many IT graduates being ‘geeks’ and lacking basic social and business skills. Companies however urgently seek computer technicians who have great technical skills and also charm. If they can’t find that in Europe, they will recuit in Asia. As the universities only teach students the technical parts of the IT business a “charm academy” should be launched. It would involve adding extra classes for business management, accounting and working in groups to the IT curriculum. This to help develop the ‘softer skills’ and also to get more women into IT as the percentage of women studying and working in the IT business is still low.
Opinion:
The article itself is a bit harsh on geeks. I hardly have a social life myself, having far more friends on the net than in real life, so I would sympathise with the geeks I think. As for companies, wanting people with business skills, I guess thats normal. The increased demand for ‘business skills’, ‘social skills’, ‘teamwork’ is seen in many sectors, not just IT. Social skills and business skills would be good parts of anyone’s education, not just IT.
Parking-space tax will raise cost of driving to the office by £350 a year
Parking-space tax will raise cost of driving to the office by £350 a year
Monday September 24 2007, The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2517668.ece
Summary:
Nottingham city is the first city in England which is going to be applying a parking space tax on parking spaces for working people. This tax called the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) is cheaper and easier to collect then the congestion charge as it is applied in London. Employers with more then 10 parking spaces will have to pay £350 a year. This measure is also thought to be more politically correct then aforementioned congestion charge, because people who come to the city centre to shop or drive through for other reasons besides going to work will not have to pay.
Opnion:
I have mixed feelings about this one. It can be considered a good development, but only if the city has qualitatively good and affordable public transport. I have never been to Nottingham city so I can’t judge their public transport network. If there’s no good alternative to driving, this measure is going to be very painful on those with a low income as we can be assured employers will make employees pay for their parking space if they get subjected to paying £350 a year per parking space.
Monday September 24 2007, The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2517668.ece
Summary:
Nottingham city is the first city in England which is going to be applying a parking space tax on parking spaces for working people. This tax called the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) is cheaper and easier to collect then the congestion charge as it is applied in London. Employers with more then 10 parking spaces will have to pay £350 a year. This measure is also thought to be more politically correct then aforementioned congestion charge, because people who come to the city centre to shop or drive through for other reasons besides going to work will not have to pay.
Opnion:
I have mixed feelings about this one. It can be considered a good development, but only if the city has qualitatively good and affordable public transport. I have never been to Nottingham city so I can’t judge their public transport network. If there’s no good alternative to driving, this measure is going to be very painful on those with a low income as we can be assured employers will make employees pay for their parking space if they get subjected to paying £350 a year per parking space.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The languages of extinction: The world's endangered tongues
The languages of extinction: The world's endangered tongues
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2976695.ece
19 September 2007
Summary:
The extinction of languages has been increasing as internationalisation increased. Up to 40% of the existing languages may be in acute danger of extinction. Estimates have it that we loose a language a fortnight. Every language lost is a loss of linguistics, culture and history of mankind. The world’s most endangerous langauges are mainly those spoken by minorities in North Australia, Siberia, south America and certain parts of the USA. These languages can be saved, but recording an entire language is expensive and the funds needed to preserve the world’s most unique languages are insufficient.
Comment:
It makes sense how and why languages go extinct, as is also illustrated nicely in the article. I really like this one and as with the Orchid article, I just can’t cover everything in the summary. Its a pity to see part of our cultural diversity die. Languages are an extreme example, but I guess the sad price for our beautifully internationally oriented culture is a loss of diversity as people often will adapt to the common census because its easier that way. That doesn’t make it seem right though...
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2976695.ece
19 September 2007
Summary:
The extinction of languages has been increasing as internationalisation increased. Up to 40% of the existing languages may be in acute danger of extinction. Estimates have it that we loose a language a fortnight. Every language lost is a loss of linguistics, culture and history of mankind. The world’s most endangerous langauges are mainly those spoken by minorities in North Australia, Siberia, south America and certain parts of the USA. These languages can be saved, but recording an entire language is expensive and the funds needed to preserve the world’s most unique languages are insufficient.
Comment:
It makes sense how and why languages go extinct, as is also illustrated nicely in the article. I really like this one and as with the Orchid article, I just can’t cover everything in the summary. Its a pity to see part of our cultural diversity die. Languages are an extreme example, but I guess the sad price for our beautifully internationally oriented culture is a loss of diversity as people often will adapt to the common census because its easier that way. That doesn’t make it seem right though...
The world of the Orchid.
The world of the Orchid.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article2977388.ece
19 September 2007 The Independent
A breakthrough discovery has been made in paleobotany, the first ever orchid fossil has been discovered and published about in Nature. The fossil originates from the Dominican Republic and is about 20 million years old. Careful scrutiny of a worker bee trapped in amber revealed the presence of plant pollen. Upon further study and determination it was discovered to be from the Meliorchis caribea. For this species to have existed 20 million years ago, the Orchid family must have arisen tens of millions of years earlier, perhaps as early as the late cretaceous, which means there may have been orchids in the time of the Dinosaurs.
Comment: Yes I admit I looked at other publications about it too, just to check fact. Newspapers sometimes butch up paleontological fact after all. Also the article covers so much MORE then just the fossil discovery, I couldn’t cram it into 100 words. You’re just going to have to read it, its a lovely article detailing many cultural and historical facts surrounding orchids. I myself love orchids and paleontology, hence why my choice for this somewhat unconventional entry.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article2977388.ece
19 September 2007 The Independent
A breakthrough discovery has been made in paleobotany, the first ever orchid fossil has been discovered and published about in Nature. The fossil originates from the Dominican Republic and is about 20 million years old. Careful scrutiny of a worker bee trapped in amber revealed the presence of plant pollen. Upon further study and determination it was discovered to be from the Meliorchis caribea. For this species to have existed 20 million years ago, the Orchid family must have arisen tens of millions of years earlier, perhaps as early as the late cretaceous, which means there may have been orchids in the time of the Dinosaurs.
Comment: Yes I admit I looked at other publications about it too, just to check fact. Newspapers sometimes butch up paleontological fact after all. Also the article covers so much MORE then just the fossil discovery, I couldn’t cram it into 100 words. You’re just going to have to read it, its a lovely article detailing many cultural and historical facts surrounding orchids. I myself love orchids and paleontology, hence why my choice for this somewhat unconventional entry.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Child laws are fuelling rise in smacking, warns NSPCC
Child laws are fuelling rise in smacking, warns NSPCC
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,2170291,00.html
Sunday September 16, 2007 The Observer
Summary:
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) wants government to change the law that states that aprents are allowed to smack children as long as it doesnt leave a mark. They claim this law doesn’t really avoid child abuse, hasn’t made any difference in the number of times child abuse occurs and can be used to emotionally torture the child by such comments as ‘I can still hit you without leaving a mark’. As it is the law is essentially useless to them. It leaves no basis for persecution of those who abuse children in a way that 'leaves no mark', the suspect's lawyer could actually use this law in his client's favor...
Comment:
As a child I have had the occasional spanking if I had deserved it, though never without good reason and never to an extent that would leave bruises or pshycological damage. This in my opinion is tolerable as I came out none the worse. Still for the sake of being able to make a clear juridical distinction without any loopholes child offenders can use, it might be good to prohibit slapping children altogether if such is required to give courts of law and child protection agencies the power needed to do their job in protecting abused children.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,2170291,00.html
Sunday September 16, 2007 The Observer
Summary:
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) wants government to change the law that states that aprents are allowed to smack children as long as it doesnt leave a mark. They claim this law doesn’t really avoid child abuse, hasn’t made any difference in the number of times child abuse occurs and can be used to emotionally torture the child by such comments as ‘I can still hit you without leaving a mark’. As it is the law is essentially useless to them. It leaves no basis for persecution of those who abuse children in a way that 'leaves no mark', the suspect's lawyer could actually use this law in his client's favor...
Comment:
As a child I have had the occasional spanking if I had deserved it, though never without good reason and never to an extent that would leave bruises or pshycological damage. This in my opinion is tolerable as I came out none the worse. Still for the sake of being able to make a clear juridical distinction without any loopholes child offenders can use, it might be good to prohibit slapping children altogether if such is required to give courts of law and child protection agencies the power needed to do their job in protecting abused children.
The McCanns: Unbelievable truth or unimaginable nightmare?
The McCanns: Unbelievable truth or unimaginable nightmare?
Sunday September 16 2007 The Independent.
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2966885.ece
Summary:
The story of the disappearance of Madeleine mc Cann takes strange turns indeed. Summarising the so manieth article written upon this subject it appears the child’s mother is now suspected of having accidentally killed her. There’s no conclusive evidence and no official statement from the police yet. It has been leaked that hair and bodily fluids have been found in a car hired by the mc Canns 25 days after the child’s disappearance. Also there are apparently blood ‘splatters’ in the hotel room and ‘corpse scents’ on the mother’s clothing as well as a scent trail to a beach.
Comment:
Personally I find the whole story pretty strange anyway. It is irresponsible to leave a child alone in a hotel room, there are more keys to a room then just that one the guest carries after all... Still no mother would be that cold blooded to have accidentally killed the child then start such a media circus to find her just to cover it UP.
The entire investigation smells funny anyway, I mean it was WEEKS afterwards that they suddenly discovered there was ‘blood’ in the hotelroom. Worse, the room and other places that were being searched were never sealed off. This Implies that not all leads have been properly investigated within a reasonable timeframe to have full validity. It reeks of incompetence in the police investigation.
Sunday September 16 2007 The Independent.
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2966885.ece
Summary:
The story of the disappearance of Madeleine mc Cann takes strange turns indeed. Summarising the so manieth article written upon this subject it appears the child’s mother is now suspected of having accidentally killed her. There’s no conclusive evidence and no official statement from the police yet. It has been leaked that hair and bodily fluids have been found in a car hired by the mc Canns 25 days after the child’s disappearance. Also there are apparently blood ‘splatters’ in the hotel room and ‘corpse scents’ on the mother’s clothing as well as a scent trail to a beach.
Comment:
Personally I find the whole story pretty strange anyway. It is irresponsible to leave a child alone in a hotel room, there are more keys to a room then just that one the guest carries after all... Still no mother would be that cold blooded to have accidentally killed the child then start such a media circus to find her just to cover it UP.
The entire investigation smells funny anyway, I mean it was WEEKS afterwards that they suddenly discovered there was ‘blood’ in the hotelroom. Worse, the room and other places that were being searched were never sealed off. This Implies that not all leads have been properly investigated within a reasonable timeframe to have full validity. It reeks of incompetence in the police investigation.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Inquiry urges health checks for models
Inquiry urges health checks for models
Friday September 14 2007 The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2169390,00.html
Summary:
Models for London Fashion Week should provide medical certificates to prove they’re healthy and not suffering from eating disorders. Having a minimum Body Mass Index rule (MBI) is insufficient as a model can easily tamper with that by ‘binge eating’ just before they’re weighed for the BMI calculation, then starve themselves to quickly bring it down again. ‘The Model Health Inquiry’ has made published a final report with recommendations. Models ought to be at least 16 years old for instance and if younger should need a chaperone. The younger models are both too vulnerable and prepubescent model figures are impossible to aqcuire by any healthy means for older models.
Comments: I have always thought the modern western society’s fashion ideal was too harsh. Why should we be dead skinny? Is it sexy to show the skeletal layout? Is it healthy to allow oneself to be forced into either starvation or creating an unnatural and unhealthy diet for the sole purpose of weight loss utilising unblanced diets like that of Montignac, or even worse The South Beach diet? I don’t think so. Besides, the whole fashion ideal is a health hazard, leading to eating disorders, depressions and even suicide. Also, the whole obsession with physical beauty is just off, I don’t like the beauty ideal and the impact it has on pe
Friday September 14 2007 The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,2169390,00.html
Summary:
Models for London Fashion Week should provide medical certificates to prove they’re healthy and not suffering from eating disorders. Having a minimum Body Mass Index rule (MBI) is insufficient as a model can easily tamper with that by ‘binge eating’ just before they’re weighed for the BMI calculation, then starve themselves to quickly bring it down again. ‘The Model Health Inquiry’ has made published a final report with recommendations. Models ought to be at least 16 years old for instance and if younger should need a chaperone. The younger models are both too vulnerable and prepubescent model figures are impossible to aqcuire by any healthy means for older models.
Comments: I have always thought the modern western society’s fashion ideal was too harsh. Why should we be dead skinny? Is it sexy to show the skeletal layout? Is it healthy to allow oneself to be forced into either starvation or creating an unnatural and unhealthy diet for the sole purpose of weight loss utilising unblanced diets like that of Montignac, or even worse The South Beach diet? I don’t think so. Besides, the whole fashion ideal is a health hazard, leading to eating disorders, depressions and even suicide. Also, the whole obsession with physical beauty is just off, I don’t like the beauty ideal and the impact it has on pe
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Carrot for all veggies
Carrot for all veggies.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2005300000-2007420157,00.html
Tuesday September 11 2007, The Sun.
Summary:
A British insurance company has offered to lower the insurance costs for the increasing number of British vegetarians. This comes forth from the observation that vegetarians are supposedly healthier and supposedly would claim less money from their insurance companies.
The company involved is ‘Animal Friends Insurance’, which is a non profit organisation. They offer a six percent discount to all of Britain’s three million vegetarians.
The claim of vegetarians being healthier is based upon medical evidence, one example suggesting a 40% risk decrease for certain types of cancer in people who do not eat meat comapred to people who do.
Comments:
For starters, vegetarianism isn’t all perfect either. The vegetarian will have to take certain vitamin supplements in order to avoid a defficiency of certain vitamins (and descreased health). The quality of the supplements needed by veganists to supply certain essentail nutrients is variable and long term effects of these supplements (of variable quality) are unknown.More importantly how do they intend to make sure only VEGETARIAN clients sign up, follow them around while grocery sh
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2005300000-2007420157,00.html
Tuesday September 11 2007, The Sun.
Summary:
A British insurance company has offered to lower the insurance costs for the increasing number of British vegetarians. This comes forth from the observation that vegetarians are supposedly healthier and supposedly would claim less money from their insurance companies.
The company involved is ‘Animal Friends Insurance’, which is a non profit organisation. They offer a six percent discount to all of Britain’s three million vegetarians.
The claim of vegetarians being healthier is based upon medical evidence, one example suggesting a 40% risk decrease for certain types of cancer in people who do not eat meat comapred to people who do.
Comments:
For starters, vegetarianism isn’t all perfect either. The vegetarian will have to take certain vitamin supplements in order to avoid a defficiency of certain vitamins (and descreased health). The quality of the supplements needed by veganists to supply certain essentail nutrients is variable and long term effects of these supplements (of variable quality) are unknown.More importantly how do they intend to make sure only VEGETARIAN clients sign up, follow them around while grocery sh
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