Big Ben needs to stay steady for a couple more years

London’s iconic tower, the Big Ben is not going to be repaired until 2020 says the MP. The tower, like that other iconic tower known as The Leaning Tower Of Pisa, is indeed leaning slightly to the left. It is in a far less threatening way than the Big Ben’s Italian counterpart. Experts say that there is no immediate danger of the tower toppling over and that a 2020 repair will be soon enough. The plans currently state that in 2020 the entire Westminster Palace will be subject to renovation.

The tower, which has been completed in 1859 had a major incident before. In 1976 the pendulum of the tower’s clock fell down the shaft of the clock, destroying the clock’s mechanism in the process. This caused the tower to be out of service for almost 9 months.

The cause of the leaning tower can attributed to the structure of the building sinking slightly into the ground. The ground, which is quite moist by nature because it is next to the Thames. This lead to a comment by MP Robert Halfon: ‘’ Whether not to buy life jackets, because Parliament might be sinking into the Thames’’.    

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16677456

No worries for Big Ben, his fellow towers are off worse.

Sending celebrities to Afghanistan costs taxpayer a fortune

Over the past year the Ministry of Defence spend over 400.000 pounds to send celebrities to Afghanistan. Celebrities such a Cheryl Cole were send over to entertain the troops and keep the spirits high. The MoD ( Ministry of Defence ) defends these high costs by explaining that besides the entertainment the visitations also cause the soldiers to relax which improves their combat effectiveness.

Currently it is unknown if the celebrities were actually paid for their visitation, which might explain the bill presented to the general public. However, MoD does not wishes to release any information regarding whether or not the stars got paid for their involvement. Defence Secretary Hammond did let us know that the transportation and accommodation of the stars was done ‘’ at minimal extra cost to the public purse ‘’

My opinion

While I do think entertainment and relaxation for troops is necessary, one has to wonder why it this had to cost more than 400.000 pounds of taxpayer’s money. Because there are no official figures how the 400.000 was spend, we can only speculate on what it was spend on. Sure, the celebrities need protection while they are out in Afghanistan but I cannot imagine this making up the majority of the 400k. I guess it was probably spend on luxury accommodation of the stars, or as many people think, salary for the stars.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16691207

Worth it ? I suppose...

British oil company optimistic about Falkland Islands

British oil company Rockhopper is optimistic about oil findings off the Falkland Islands’ coast. Recently it the company published it findings, stating that it expected to be pumping oil by 2016. 2 billion dollars would be needed to fund the project, while it expects its production to peak in 2018 with 120.000 barrels of raw unprocessed oil per day.

This news recently put more pressure on the relationship between Argentina and England, both countries which have been in conflict about the island for a long time. A conflict which found its height in 1982 with the Falkland War. The recent oil findings certainly gives Argentina a new motive to want the islands to join Argentina. To make it more difficult for the British oil companies, Argentina recently ruled that ships would need a ‘special’ permit to sail to the islands. While tension is building between both countries Prime Minister Cameron recently stated that the issue is non-negotiable and that the actions of Argentina look like colonialism. This has angered the Argentines and lead to their PM calling Cameron arrogant for refusing to negotiate.

My reaction

 While I know Argentina’s desire to win back the islands from England, they already waged war in 1982, the recent findings of oil fields certainly are the main objective. Wherever money is involved it always causes tension. I do think however, that PM Cameron and his government should look for other options and negotiate with Argentina. Maybe the UK can compensate Argentina in some way, or they can work out some sort of trade agreement which would benefit both countries economically

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jan/19/falklands-colonialism-david-cameron-argentina

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14925620

Leftwing Argentine activists protest outside UK embassy

About 100 protesters gathered in front of the UK embassy in Buenos Aires demanding their country to break off diplomatic relationships with the United Kingdom. This protest is due to the recent build up of tension since the 30^th anniversary of the Falkland War back in April last year. Argentina states that the island belongs to them, ignoring the claim from the UK in 1830. They state that they had a claim on the island prior to the British.

The United Kingdom have states that it is up to the inhabitants of the island to decide whether they want to stay British. Prime Minister Cameron also added that Argentina wanting to take back the island is like ‘’ colonialism ‘’. The PM stated that the Falkland island has the right to self-determination.

As the tension between the two countries builds, both sides are preparing for what might end up in another military conflict. The US however, have called for a dialogue between the two countries to resolve this conflict in a civilised manner.

My reaction

I think the United Kingdom got it right regarding this conflict between the two countries. Argentina’s claims about an earlier claim than the British has yet to be backed up by strong evidence. Besides the lack of evidence it is against the rights of the inhabitants of the island to claim it for Argentina, they are after all, citizens of the UK. I do not think this conflict will result in a war of some sorts but the possibility is certainly there.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16663290

Recession hits retailers hard

More than 70% of companies in the UK warned that their profits over the last three months would be lower than expected.88 UK based companies issued profit warnings compared to just 51 in the third quarter of 2011. Especially retail and service based companies seem to have been hit by the latest effects of the recession. According to Ernest & Young retail companies with old business models and without the ability to adapt are going to be the main victim of the recession. Add that to the fact that these companies have already been hit by spending cuts and the result is that lots of companies will be reporting lower profits or even losses.

In 2011 39 retail companies have reported profit warnings, more than 2009 and 2010 together. And now in 2012 it seems even big supermarkets such as Tesco are in trouble. They recently put out a careful warning saying that the profits would be ‘’ around the low end’’, now they have adjusted this to ‘’ a slight loss is to be expected ‘’.

My reaction

This does not come to much of a surprise to me since loads of companies are suffering to the recession and now even large retailers seem to feel the effects. In these times it seems only companies who are able to adapt are able to survive and actually grow. These times ask for managers and CEO’s who are not afraid to take drastic measures.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16657016

Two men escape from arson attack

Two men, one 30 years old the other in his 70’s escapes their house after it was set on fire by what is believed as an arson attack. The fire started around 2 in the morning and caused a lot of damage to the house and the surrounding area. The two men escapes unharmed but scared for life. The younger man woke up in the middle of the night because he heard some noise at his front door, shortly after he realized his front door was on fire. They escaped the house trough the back door. Police is now looking for a dark coloured vehicle that was seen in the area shortly before the incident.

Experts say that the two men were very lucky to have noticed the fire in such an early state, otherwise it could have ended in a different way.

My reaction

I too, believe the two men were quite lucky to escape because besides the fire there is the smoke which spreads very quickly and causes people to faint. I really cannot understand that people would find joy in setting a property on fire, knowing that there are people inside. The cliché which is often seen on television is that the person who lit the fire waits around to ‘watch’ their work. I do not know if this is actually true but if I was looking for the person who lit the fire I’d start by looking in the surrounding area.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-16670719

Pun intended

Six year old girl attacked in park

A quiet stroll in the park with her parents and little brother turned into a tragedy for a six year old girl as she was attacked by a particularly vicious dog. The dog, thought to be a terrier breed, attacked the girl out of nowhere and left her with severe injuries and scars. Scars which she will most likely has to carry with her for the rest of her life, she has however, undergone plastic surgery in a nearby hospital in Sussex. The owner of the dog quickly fled the scene after witnessing his dog attack the girl. He handed himself in at the local police station that day and has been arrested by the local authorities. 

My reaction

I wonder what should be done in this case. Will they put down the dog because it attacked a girl ? Will they arrest the owner for making the dog aggressive and being careless ? Or perhaps both ? I feel most of the blame is on the owner of the dog who was most likely aware of the aggressive nature of his dog and he should have been way more careful when walking his dog. In my opinion the dog cannot be blamed for what happened, however if it is found that he is too aggressive it might be the best if he is put down by a vet. Or maybe this is the perfect case for our dear friend from Animal Planet. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-16669297

Suspicious deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital

Bill Dickinson, a 82 year old male is what seems the fourth victim in a row of suspicious deaths in Stepping Hill Hospital. The man died on New Year’s Eve, contamination of his saline infuse is thought to be the cause of his death. A 46 year old male nurse has been arrested in suspicion of contaminating saline infusions of at least 16 patients, 4 of them are now dead. The arrest has caused a huge panic under staff members and regular patients of the hospital, many of them which rely on the hospital since it is the only one in the area.

Earlier, a female nurse was arrested as well but charges against her have been dropped due to the lack of evidence. For the 46 year old male nurse however, charges seem to stick and he could face a hefty prison sentence.

My reaction

I was quite shocked when I read about this because if there is one place where you should be able to trust people it is the hospital. You trust these people to take care of you and that they will do anything to save your life. When I read the story it also reminded me of some similar incident in The Netherlands, where a nurse was also accused of murdering her own patients. I believe charges against her were also dropped due to a lack of evidence or a mistake in building the case. Scary stuff.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16433003

Movie-like robbery leaves police baffled

Thieves in Manchester dug a tunnel over 30 meters long with the intend to rob a cash machine. They completed their work on January 2^nd, stealing only 6000 pounds in the process. The thieves probably miscalculated the amount of money they expected to be in the cash machine. Usually during Bank Holiday the cash machines get emptied after January 2^nd but for some reason this has been done earlier, leaving the robbers with far less money. Police estimates it took the robbers over 6 months to complete the tunnel, which leaves us with a question. Why didn’t anyone see anything suspicious during these months

Personally I could not believe that this has actually happened in real life. When I read it, it seemed like some crazy Hollywood movie plot. Think ‘The Italian Job’. This has to be one of the most awesome acts of thievery I have ever read. Hopefully the thieves will be able to enjoy their 6000 pounds, which I think are well deserved after all the hard work.

                        Entrance of the tunnel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16586214