A Gift to Alcoholics

Wine at 99p a bottle is 'a gift to alcoholics'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1288102/99p-Stores-sell-alcohol-99p-bottle.html

One of Britain's fastest-growing supermarket chains was condemned after selling wine, cider and other types of alcohol for only 99 pence. Doctors and alcohol charities are not pleased with this at all, stating that this is grossly irresponsible and a gift to alcoholics. Don Shenker, chief executive of campaign group Alcohol Concern said: ''The last thing the police want is more alcohol-related trouble to deal with, and allowing this would only make the problem worse''. The sad reality is that more than a million people in Britain are addicted to alcohol, and that they are encouraged to drink even more because of the low prices. The firm's commerical director stated that they are only responding to the feedback of customers and that buying cheap alcohol is what the customer wants.

I think it is very irresponsible to sell alcohol for such low prices. I really think that you encourage people to drink more this way. There are over a million alcoholics right now in the United Kingdom, and if supermarkets keep selling alcohol for such low prices, it will create even more damage. On the other hand, people are responsible for their own actions, and it is up to the customer to find a balance between having a glass of wine and drinking too much. You cannot put the blame on the supermarket chain only.

Little Boy attacked by fox

My brave boy's fox attack nightmare

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3023912/My-brave-boys-fox-attack-nightmare.html

Little Jake Jermy was attacked by a fox as he reached for a ball near a den under a playgroup's building. Staff of The Dorethy Stringer Playgroup in Brighton had been aware of the fact that a fox was living nearby, but experts told them not to worry. The outcome was that poor little three-year-old Jake was attacked by the fox. He has injuries all over his body, except for the head. Jake's parents stated that they are relieved that his injuries were not likely to leave any permanent marks. This was an unfortunate event, and they are not blaiming the fox. The school wishes Jake a speedy recovery, but staff members point out that they only followed the expert's advice on this matter. The nursery will remain closed until they can garuantee a save place for the children and staff.

I think both the parents and the staff members made powerful statements. I do not think it was the intention of the animal to attack or harm a child. The fox just does not know better. The statements that the parents made are accurate and very reasonable, because they only care about the well-being of their child. In my opinion, the nursery handled this problem very well, because they are working on creating a save environment for their children and their staff. The decision that the staff made to listen to the expert was totally logical and not irresponsible at all, it was just an unfortunate event.

Minister Splits From Wife of 26 Years

Lib Dem minister Chris Huhne splits from wife of 26 years after confessing affair with colleague

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1287946/Minister-Chris-Huhne-splits-wife-affair-colleauge.html

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne confirmed that he has seperated from his wife of twenty-six years, because he is having an affair with another woman. Huhne told News of the World: ‘’I am in a serious relationship with Carina Trimingham and I am seperating from my wife’’. The mistress, a former journalist, was a member of his campaign team when he took on Nick Clegg for the party leadership, back in 2007. If the rumors are true, Huhne and his mistress met occasionaly at his constituency home in Eastleigh, Hampshire. This morning, the pair headed to a station, seperetaly. The new couple even stood apart on the station, waiting for their train to arrive. When they both arrived at Waterloo, Huhne and his mistress left the platform. They ended up in the same black cab.

In my opinion, Huhne has done the right thing. He confessed to his wife that he was having an affair with a colleague, and he decided to make a public statement about it. However, what I do not understand is the following: Huhne decided to inform the British people about him having an affair, but why hide it? They are leaving the house seperetaly and they stood apart on the station but they did end up in the same black cab. If you made this announcement to the public and everybody is aware of your situation, why hide it? I think it is better to not create a fuss because in my opinion, Huhne is not that trustworty anymore.

No Gays in the Pub

'Homophobic' Greencoat Boy pub claim investigated

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/london/10254564.stm

The police are investigating a pub in Westminster, London, because a member of staff allegedly refused to serve a gay group in a row. The group was refused because of their sexuality. The police confirm that an allegation that a homophobic incident took place was reported. After this allegation, the pub hung a rainbow flag in the pub window. This type of flag is often used to symbolise the Gay Pride movement. The owner, Punch Taverns, suspended a staff member because of the incident. Many people are hurt and shocked by this incident. A member of the gay group stated that everybody was shocked and outraged and they feel that this attitude is unacceptable. The owner cannot point out enough that everybody is welcome in his pub and that this incident will never happen again and he feels sorry for what happened in his pub.


I totally agree with the fact that the member of staff is suspended, but I do not think that this is enough punishment. If I was the owner of this pub, I would fire my employee immediately. I think this type of incident is very unacceptable. It is not fair that you refuse to serve a gay group because of the fact that they are gay. It is fine that you have your own opinion about homosexuals, but if you are having such problems with it, do not decide to work in a pub. When you work in a pub, you meet a lot of different people, and if you cannot handle it, quit!

Burned Baby

'I was out of it on one lager,' says mother of baby who suffered 40 per cent burns in the sun on Brighton beach

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1281274/Mother-badly-sunburnt-baby-says-mortified.html

A mother in Brighton left her baby in the sun, with the result that the baby suffered forty per cent burns. The baby was brought to the hospital after other people made the police aware of the fact that the baby boy had blisters all over his legs. Eyewitnesses say that the mother seemed drunk and not aware of the fact that she left her baby burning in the sun. The case is brought to the police and other authorities. The mother and her husband say that they are mortified about what happened to their baby, but point out that the mother is not irresponsible or bad for the baby. She just drank one lager and was feeling sick because of the sun. What they want to do now is bring up their son and put this whole nightmare behind them.

I believe that what the mother did was totally irresponsible and not mother like at all. When you bring your baby to the beach, and it is hot and sunny, you know that you need to cover him up. Secondly, it is, in my opinion, totally irresponsible to drink when you are alone with your baby. Nobody else that she knew was around to pay attention, so she had the full responsibility. I think this is a lack of parenting and I think it is only fair to give the mother a warning or another punishment so that next time, she will act like an adult.

Two Arrested Over Teenager's Death in Wigan Pond

Two arrested over teenager’s death in Wigan Pond

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/manchester/10194856.stm

A seventeen-year-old boy, named Dylan Aaron, died in a pond in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder. The man, aged 26 and 34, have also been held on suspicion of assault. Greater Manchester Police said that his body was recovered from the pond by a police underwater search team, because other methods failed to trace him. The family is in great pain and gave a statement which said: ‘’He was a young man with a promising future and all of us will miss him dearly, especially his brothers and sisters’’. The investigation is still in a very early stage because there are many questions which need to be answered. The police are asking to contact the officers if there is anyone with information about the incident.

I think that what has happened is extremely tragic. The police are still in the early stage of investigation because there are many questions which still need to be answered. In my opinion, they need to hurry up with the investigation because if the family knows what has happened to their son, it gives a sense of peace and they can accept it and go on with their lives. If there are still many questions which need to be answered, there is a feeling of insecurity and not knowing what has actually happened is very disturbing. I do think that the police are doing everything that they can.

Hello Burglar!

Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn greeted by burglar

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/north_yorkshire/8676079.stm

A court has heard that a man broke into Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s home and exchanged greetings with him before steeling his possessions. The thirty-one-year-old burglar, Anthony Kelly, was looking for valuables inside Sir Alan’s house in Scarborough when he saw the writer. He greeted the writer and he was able to carry on and walked through the house. Sir Alan had assumed that Kelly was visiting a member of his staff and he did not think anymore of it until later when he discovered that some items were missing. These items include expensive jewelry from his wife and other valuables. The burglar pleaded guilty to all charges. He had also admitted another burglary and a charge of handing stolen goods. He was sentenced to jail for eighteen months.

I think this is a very strange story. You are in your house, you see a stranger that greets you and you think it is all fine and safe. Sir Alan assumed that the burglar was visiting a member of his staff, so he trusted him and did not think anymore of. This is weird, because he was actually facing a burglar in his own home. I do not understand why you trust a stranger in your house. He obviously has no reservations whatsoever when it comes to his own security or the security of his staff. If I were him, and one member of my staff wanted to invite somebody to my house, I wanted to know that beforehand. In my opinion, Sir Alan was a bit to ignorant at that moment.

No Birthday Cake

Nurseries Ban Children From Having Birthday Cake

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7705478/Nurseries-ban-children-from-having-birthday-cake.html

A string of nurseries have banned children from eating cake or sweets to celebrate birthdays. There is a new health initiative, called the ‘Pre-School Nutrition Project’, which sets out strict rules for nurseries. One rule is that sweets or cakes, which are brought in for children’s birthdays, cannot be eaten in the nursery, but must be handed to the parents at the end of the day. Proponents say that it is good to encourage nurseries to provide healthy snacks and treats for all the children in their care. The effect will be that the children, later in life, would prefer a healthier snack. Critics say that it is fantastic goal to encourage nurseries to provide healthy snacks, but banning sweets on birthdays is taking it too far.

I definitely agree with the critics. On the one hand, I would encourage nurseries to provide healthy snacks and treats for the children, because it helps the children to make better food choices later in life and they learn why it is better to eat a healthy snack than an unhealthy snack. On the other hand, a child’s birthday is one of the most important events of the year. Every child wants to celebrate their birthday at school and every child loves blowing out candles on their cake. In my opinion, it is a bit selfish to take that away from them. Banning sweets and cake on birthdays is definitely taking it too far. Therefore, I agree with the critics.

Britain's Most Spoilt Baby

Is this Britain's most spoilt baby?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-world/2010/04/21/is-this-britain-s-most-spoilt-baby-115875-22200018/

Thai Dickenson is only sixteen months old, but he already has a toy collection of £2,500 and a £2,000 clothes collection. His label-loving mom Suzanne, a former cleaner, has splashed out more than £12,000 on designer items and gifts for the little boy. She saves all year round to make sure Thai has only the best of everything, because 'he is worth every penny'. Suzanne says that spending money makes her happy and that the designer outfits make Thai popular when he is at the daycare centre. Everybody wanted to be invited to his birthday, because of his designer outfits. Before Thai was born, Suzanne already gave birth to two sons, and she actually wanted her third child to be a girl, so that she could dress her up in pretty designer clothes. Her baby turned out to be a boy, and she decided he had to always look different instead.

I think this woman fell on her head when she gave birth to this baby. I understand that you want to put nice clothes on your baby, but what Suzanne is doing is pretty extreme. It is ridiculous that she spends so much money on her baby, because he is only sixteen months old. Suzanne says that she always wanted to have a girl, so that she could buy pretty dresses and jewelry, but when the baby turned out to be a boy, she decided he had to always look different instead. I cannot understand why it is so important to her to give her child a £2,000 clothes collection. Who are you trying to impress? She says that Thai is popular at the day care centre, and that everyone wanted to be invited to his birthday. I think that some of the mothers were impressed, but definitely not the other babies. They probably are going to spill their drinks on his designer clothes anyway.

Tuition Fees

'Come clean on tuition fees', students tell politicians

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8633358.stm

Students in England want the politicians to come clean on tuition fees. A review of university funding was announced in 2009, but this is not due to report until after the general election. Students are dissapointed by the lack of open debate and they are accusing politicians of 'hiding behind the review'. Tuition fees in England are currently £3,225 pounds per year, but the review will consider options including raising fees or charging a more commercial rate on student loans to cover the costs of the increasing level of students who go to universities. Public spending costs have already seen university budgets reduced for next year. More and more people are going to university in England every year, so a smaller budget for the universities has its negative effects on the students. Therefore, the students want the politicians to come clean on tuition fees.

I think it is fair that the politicians come clean on tuition fees. They have to come up with a sort of action plan to inform the students about the fees. Are they raising the fees or are they going to charge a more commercial rate on student loans to cover the costs? These are important questions which need to be answered. As a student, you want the politicians to make a clear statement about the tuition fees, because it is important to know what you need to pay and what effect it will have on you. I think that that charging a more commercial rate on student loans is not the best option, because many students will end up in debt. Therefore, the politicians need to come clean on the tuition fees.