Thursday 2 September 2010
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/02/john-traynor-arrested-in-netherlands
John Trainer was detained just outside Amsterdam, in a joint operation between Dutch police and Uk´s Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).
He is a convicted criminal who had fled prison after serving just one year out of a seven-year sentence. He was released temporarily, went to Ireland and did not return to prison. The Uk police was looking for him for 18 years now. He had been living in the Netherlands for a number of years, police believe. He is awaiting his extradition to serve the rest of his sentence. He was involved in the investigation by the journalist Veronica Guerin, who was shot dead in 1996.
I remember I saw the movie based on the investigation of the journalist Veronica Guerin. She was very courageous. This John Trainer must be a dangerous figure. Especially when they are on the run, they would do the most terrible things, just to stay out of prison. I bet he has more on his conscience, than his remaining punishment. I am glad the police finally caught him. He has to serve his remaining sentence just like any other criminal should have.
Another closed case for the police and for us a safer neighbourhood.
donderdag 2 september 2010
William Hague's special advisor resigns over 'untrue' allegations
01 Sep 2010
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7975823/William-Hagues-special-advisor-resigns-over-untrue-allegations.html
William Hague hired this Christopher Myers as his special advisor and personal driver during the re election period. His employing Myers has caused him criticism, because he already had two special advisors.
A well-known political blogger claimed that they had spent the night together in a hotel room during the election campaign. This allegation
led to the resignation of Myers. There were rumours about the closeness of the two around their workplace and on the internet. Mr Hague denied
having any inappropriate relationship with a staff member, and made clear that his marriage was still strong.
When I read this I thought: All this fuzz about nothing! There was no hard evidence about the implications. And without it, everything is gossip. It is terrible to change people’s live based on malicious interpretations of situations. Maybe they are just very good friends. I admit it was poor judgment of Mr Hague to share a hotel room with another man, he should have been more careful in regard to his position. His wife is the one who certainly knows better about all this. Not because two men are close that means they are homosexuals.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7975823/William-Hagues-special-advisor-resigns-over-untrue-allegations.html
William Hague hired this Christopher Myers as his special advisor and personal driver during the re election period. His employing Myers has caused him criticism, because he already had two special advisors.
A well-known political blogger claimed that they had spent the night together in a hotel room during the election campaign. This allegation
led to the resignation of Myers. There were rumours about the closeness of the two around their workplace and on the internet. Mr Hague denied
having any inappropriate relationship with a staff member, and made clear that his marriage was still strong.
When I read this I thought: All this fuzz about nothing! There was no hard evidence about the implications. And without it, everything is gossip. It is terrible to change people’s live based on malicious interpretations of situations. Maybe they are just very good friends. I admit it was poor judgment of Mr Hague to share a hotel room with another man, he should have been more careful in regard to his position. His wife is the one who certainly knows better about all this. Not because two men are close that means they are homosexuals.
House prices fall again in August, says Nationwide
2 September 2010
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11161166
Since February 2009, it is the first time that house prices have declined two months in a row. In July the fall was of 0.5% and August 0.9%. Prices are being expected to fall between 3% and 5% during the second half of 2010 and another 5% next year, according to Howard Archer, chief economist at HIS Global Insight. At the moment the average house price is just over £166,500. Martin Gahbauer, the chief economist at Nationwide made clear that the actual development is just a correction, because last year house prices had advance ahead of the recovery of the general economy.
For home owners this is not a positive development but if you compare it with other European countries, where house prices are falling dramatically, this is not bad at all. An average house price of £166,500 if you convert the currency to euro it is almost 200.000. Now it is a good time to buy a house , because there is a large selection to choose from. As a home owner I would not just sell right at the moment. I would wait for the economy to stabilize first.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11161166
Since February 2009, it is the first time that house prices have declined two months in a row. In July the fall was of 0.5% and August 0.9%. Prices are being expected to fall between 3% and 5% during the second half of 2010 and another 5% next year, according to Howard Archer, chief economist at HIS Global Insight. At the moment the average house price is just over £166,500. Martin Gahbauer, the chief economist at Nationwide made clear that the actual development is just a correction, because last year house prices had advance ahead of the recovery of the general economy.
For home owners this is not a positive development but if you compare it with other European countries, where house prices are falling dramatically, this is not bad at all. An average house price of £166,500 if you convert the currency to euro it is almost 200.000. Now it is a good time to buy a house , because there is a large selection to choose from. As a home owner I would not just sell right at the moment. I would wait for the economy to stabilize first.
woensdag 1 september 2010
Rise in bedbugs prompts 'pandemic' fears
01 Sep 2010
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7974512/Rise-in-bedbugs-prompts-pandemic-fears.html
In a year the bedbug’s population has increased with 24%, according to pest controllers reports. They incline to enter homes by clothes and furniture, but they also move through walls and floors cavities from property to property. The epidemic started in America where the numbers are the highest since the Second World War. A recent international survey by the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky concerning this issue concluded that “the world could be on the verge of a bedbug pandemic.” In Britain millions of bugs are expected to be transported in the clothing of travelling tourists during the 2012 Olympics.
Well maybe Britain can start by taking action against these bugs being transported by tourists during the Olympics. By making posters and putting ads on television to make tourists aware, of the fact that they are not travelling alone. Maybe it is a good idea to make pesticide that is not harmful to humans in the form of tablets to be put in the luggage. The idea that they feed on our blood, already makes me itch. A consolation? At least you are not sleeping in bed alone.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7974512/Rise-in-bedbugs-prompts-pandemic-fears.html
In a year the bedbug’s population has increased with 24%, according to pest controllers reports. They incline to enter homes by clothes and furniture, but they also move through walls and floors cavities from property to property. The epidemic started in America where the numbers are the highest since the Second World War. A recent international survey by the National Pest Management Association and the University of Kentucky concerning this issue concluded that “the world could be on the verge of a bedbug pandemic.” In Britain millions of bugs are expected to be transported in the clothing of travelling tourists during the 2012 Olympics.
Well maybe Britain can start by taking action against these bugs being transported by tourists during the Olympics. By making posters and putting ads on television to make tourists aware, of the fact that they are not travelling alone. Maybe it is a good idea to make pesticide that is not harmful to humans in the form of tablets to be put in the luggage. The idea that they feed on our blood, already makes me itch. A consolation? At least you are not sleeping in bed alone.
Pakistan match-fixing claims: England players do not want to face accused trio
31 Aug 2010
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/7974258/Pakistan-match-fixing-claims-England-players-do-not-want-to-face-accused-trio.html
The England players say they will not play against the three Pakistan players accused of
match-fixing, this is to prevent doubt about the credibility of the match. They took this stand, because they feel that the International Cricket Counsel is failing to take definite action against the three in this serious matter. They should be suspended or other measurement must be taken so they can not play upcoming Sunday in Cardiff. They will not refuse to play if no decision is taken, because they are professionals. But they think it is in everybody’s advantage if the suspects do not play.
I think that the three accused should not even travel with their team, until these accusations are cleared out. The Pakistan government is trying to create doubt saying that it could be a conspiracy against the team. It seems that this had happened in the past. But I reckon the chance very small that it is a conspiracy. Either way, it is about what should be done until the allegations are sort out. Until then, they should be put on none active.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/7974258/Pakistan-match-fixing-claims-England-players-do-not-want-to-face-accused-trio.html
The England players say they will not play against the three Pakistan players accused of
match-fixing, this is to prevent doubt about the credibility of the match. They took this stand, because they feel that the International Cricket Counsel is failing to take definite action against the three in this serious matter. They should be suspended or other measurement must be taken so they can not play upcoming Sunday in Cardiff. They will not refuse to play if no decision is taken, because they are professionals. But they think it is in everybody’s advantage if the suspects do not play.
I think that the three accused should not even travel with their team, until these accusations are cleared out. The Pakistan government is trying to create doubt saying that it could be a conspiracy against the team. It seems that this had happened in the past. But I reckon the chance very small that it is a conspiracy. Either way, it is about what should be done until the allegations are sort out. Until then, they should be put on none active.
First wave of 32 new-style academies open this week
1 September 2010
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11151559
From the 32 new-style academies that open this term, seven are primary schools. Further, 110 schools will become academies later this year, from which 40 are primary schools and some grammar schools. The ones in favour of this new system say: that the schools will receive money directly from the government, but are not controlled by the local authorities. They are free to manage their academy according to their own needs, which will raise their school standards. Those against say: that the idea is a failure, because comparatively, out of more than 20.000 state schools in England, only a couple have opted for the academy status so far.
I would not say at this stage that it is a failure. Maybe the majority of the state schools are waiting to see if the ones opting for the academy are successful, before they decide themselves to join this new-style. I would do it, but it should be run by a good manager with economical sense. The success will depend on the sole capacity of the management where the investments will translate into poor, average or excellent results. This in turn will determine the status of the academy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11151559
From the 32 new-style academies that open this term, seven are primary schools. Further, 110 schools will become academies later this year, from which 40 are primary schools and some grammar schools. The ones in favour of this new system say: that the schools will receive money directly from the government, but are not controlled by the local authorities. They are free to manage their academy according to their own needs, which will raise their school standards. Those against say: that the idea is a failure, because comparatively, out of more than 20.000 state schools in England, only a couple have opted for the academy status so far.
I would not say at this stage that it is a failure. Maybe the majority of the state schools are waiting to see if the ones opting for the academy are successful, before they decide themselves to join this new-style. I would do it, but it should be run by a good manager with economical sense. The success will depend on the sole capacity of the management where the investments will translate into poor, average or excellent results. This in turn will determine the status of the academy.
Scientists attack court ruling against Barack Obama's stem cell policy
Tuesday 24 August 2010
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/aug/24/scientists-attack-stem-cells-ruling
Barack Obama wanted to expand medical research, in the exploration for cures to other primary diseases, by using the stem cells retrieved from human embryos. Opponents, formed by an alliance of Christian groups, went to court saying that Obama has trespassed the Dickey-Wicker amendment, which prohibits the use of goverments money for financing “research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed.” The court ruled in favour of the opponents. An opinion poll’s outcome last year found that 54% of Americans sustain these researches. Scientists were angry and criticized the order as being "deplorable" and "a serious setback."
I am in favour for medical research being done with human adult stem cells. When it comes to the use of embryonic cells where the embryo’s life is destroyed I am apprehensive, for life is sacred and cannot be used as a ‘disposable good,’ not even for the sake of science. They have to look for other methods to achieve similar outcome as by using embryonic cells. Therefore I am glad the judge ruled in favour of the opponents. In the Netherlands these researches are allowed. Nine members of the European Union disapprove of researches where embryonic cells are used.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/aug/24/scientists-attack-stem-cells-ruling
Barack Obama wanted to expand medical research, in the exploration for cures to other primary diseases, by using the stem cells retrieved from human embryos. Opponents, formed by an alliance of Christian groups, went to court saying that Obama has trespassed the Dickey-Wicker amendment, which prohibits the use of goverments money for financing “research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed.” The court ruled in favour of the opponents. An opinion poll’s outcome last year found that 54% of Americans sustain these researches. Scientists were angry and criticized the order as being "deplorable" and "a serious setback."
I am in favour for medical research being done with human adult stem cells. When it comes to the use of embryonic cells where the embryo’s life is destroyed I am apprehensive, for life is sacred and cannot be used as a ‘disposable good,’ not even for the sake of science. They have to look for other methods to achieve similar outcome as by using embryonic cells. Therefore I am glad the judge ruled in favour of the opponents. In the Netherlands these researches are allowed. Nine members of the European Union disapprove of researches where embryonic cells are used.
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