Sean Salhab

A 21% fall in overall city centre crime has been accredited by Police to a safety scheme.

Unight’s coordinated safety scheme has seen nightclubs in the capital work together in an effort to reduce crime over the last year.

The scheme states that troublemakers barred from one venue automatically receive a ban from all, stopping anti-social customers from moving to other city centre venues.

Studio 24 nightclub

There has only been one high profile incident with the scheme involving Hibernian footballer Derek Riordan. Riordan was banned from all Unight premises in August after an incident at the city’s Berlin nightclub.

The former Celtic stiker escaped further ban recently after fellow Hibs team mates were caught trying to sneak him into Leith Walk’s Mood nightclub.

Sarah David, owner of Cabaret Voltaire and chairperson of Unight said: “Not only have we created unity and a platform for entertainment venues to voice opinions in an open forum and gain direct answers from police and licensing, but we have also worked hard to further establish Edinburgh as a safe environment for out staff and patrons to enjoy.”

Other clubs involved include many popular city centre regular student nights, such as The Liquid Room, WhyNot?, Studio 24, Shanghai and Lava&Ignite.

There are simple solutions to managing waste, by recycling, helping the environment and saving you money at the same time.
‘Freecycle’ is a completely free trading website which allows you to get rid of items you no longer need or find ones that you do. Anything from old computers to wardrobes, that would usually go to the skip (further bolstering our growing landfill-sites), is advertised on the site along with a persons contact details. Anyone can then contact the person and arrange to pick up the goods. There is no exchange of money and trading one item for another is discouraged. Freecycle is a worldwide phenomenon but regions have their own section of the site so people can make exchanges in their local areas.
Dundee (among others) has had a trade in discarded goods like this for years, but because everything has to be stored in a warehouse, the charity who runs it is obliged to ask for a small fee for each item, not very much, but freecycle completely removes the need for any exchange of money.
In a world that has moved from Industrial to Technological acceleration there may yet be redemption for our polluting sins.
Very simple schemes like this are a testament to the radical effect of the internet on all aspects of life. It has already altered the way we consume news and entertainment by cutting out the middlemen. It truly is the people’s medium and is now helping us to achieve sustainable living by giving life to online communities. Where the internet is connecting people across the globe it is now helping to reconnect people who live next door to each other.

It is clear now, that in raising civilisation to new heights we have ignored the long-term principle of sustainability; it seems to be a sad feature of human activity, that it takes a looming crisis to spur people into action. However, greater understanding equates to better foresight, and it is essentially the gift of foresight which separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. That is why there is still hope for a better, more egalitarian future – this feeling is reflected in the rhetoric of the Presidential elections in the United States, hollow sentiments perhaps? But the advance of technology provides us with real opportunities to treat the planet and its inhabitants better. One thing is obvious, that the current structure of the international economy will collapse if not altered and is already damaging our planet. This is a vast and complex issue that will only be addressed by the formation of new philosophies, a long process which is happening all the time.
There are many ways to approach the problem of sustainability; by making laws to regulate industry, developing new technologies, building more energy efficient housing, etc. But what is required in the long run is an alteration of the structure of daily life, of lifestyle, values and expectations. Many people are growing concerned about environmental and energy issues and want to make changes to their own patterns of living. They can do this easily by engaging with very simple ideas like Freecycle and save a few bob at the same time.

You can visit the website at www.freecycle.org

Debbie Smith

Merchiston Castle School, has been ordered this morning by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to follow their “direction” if they wish to remain on the Scottish Charity’s Register.

Merchiston School for boys receives £11m income per year, largely generated from fees, the fourth highest in the independent school sector. With such huge revenue, concern has been raised as to whether independent schools should be allowed to benefit from huge tax rebates worth more than £4m to the sector per year, as a result of their position on the charities register.

Andrew Hunter, Headmaster of Merchiston Castle School, said: “Although the charity, Merchiston Castle School, functions primarily as a school, consistent with the Objects for which it was founded, it is involved in many other activities which are of public benefit.”

To be classified as a charity school’s must offer some public benefit. The review by the OSCR has been welcomed as it will force educational institutions to clearly show what they do to benefit the wider community. The offering of scholarships is no longer enough to be considered a charity.

At Merchiston School bursaries worth up to £1m over five years are awarded to academically talented boys who otherwise would be unable to attend as a result of generous sponsoring of former pupil, Lord Laidlaw.  The OSCR states that financial support must be increased if their “direction” is to be followed.

The OSCR did however recognise the good work that the school undertakes in the community. Pupils have been involved in the creation of landscape gardens for Colinton Conservative Trust and a wildlife garden at the Erskine Home. Further afield, this summer they will embark on their 7th voluntary service project in Wailevu District in Fiji. In the past, groups of about 12 boys have worked in Fiji during their summer holidays on a variety of projects to help the local community, including building a bus shelter and the rebuilding of communal taps and showers. They also maintain close links with St Luke’s Leprosarium and a Boys’ Orphanage in India; both these institutions are sent cricket equipment annually.

Headmaster Andrew Hunter added: “It is very important that as part of their education at Merchiston our boys learn about service to the community, and we are delighted that OSCR recognises the good work that pupils and teachers do to provide a benefit to the public.  This is an integral, and growing, part of our curriculum which we believe teaches important lessons to our pupils, while serving our community, and we hope it will be something they continue in later life.”

Mound Bayou, Mississippi, is one of the poorest communities in the United States. It was built up by former slaves in the 1880′s. The community became a refuge for black people to escape harassment and lynch mobs from the whites. It slowly grew stronger and by the 1920′s it had a population of 8000 and own utility companies; cotton mills, bank, railway station, sawmill and newspaper. This was largely affected during the depression when the cotton price dropped and a lot of people moved to the industrial cities in the north.

Mound Bayou’s average household income is $19,700 (£12,400) which is a sad figure compared to the average household income, $50,200. A large number of the population in Mound Bayou is either retired, unemployed or incarcerated. 

The young citizens of Mound Bayou are greatly excited about the election that may give them the first black american president. Barack Obama has given them the will to pursue their dreams and a feeling that nothing is impossible.

Unfortunately the issue of racism in America has once again arisen where a white supremacist group has threatened to assassinate Barack Obama, bringing back memories for the victims of racism in Mound Bayou. Barack Obama is not only a symbol of hope for the young people but also inspirational for older generations as he defies racial extremists in America.

By Cara Liddle

Edinburgh has taken the title of Greenest city in the UK for a third consecutive win. Out ranking Glasgow and London in an annual survey carried out by Cushman and Wakefield Real Estate Advisors

The city takes first place with its impressive local parks and playing areas as well as its impressive gardens such as Princes Street and the Royal Botanical. But the title is not just awarded for the capitals foliage. Despite having a population count of over 448 thousand people Edinburgh still has the over all lowest level of air pollution and best quality of life.

By introducing the new tram line system, despite causing traffic delays at present, this will mean that Edinburgh has a form of public transport that can run on a completely renewable source.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of World Widelife Federation told the Edinburgh Evening News “serious action on climate emissions and decentralising energy are being considered, so Edinburgh could become a real green leader among UK cities.”

The police marksman known as Charlie 12 who shot the innocent Jean Charles de Menezes dead did so because he believed him to be a suicide bomber. Charlie 12 yesterday insisted that he had given fair warning to De Menezes before shooting.

At the on going inquest into De Menezes murder Michael Mansfield QC, who has been representing the Menezes family, claimed that Charlie 12 had no reason to believe the Brazilian was about to detonate a bomb when he shot him.  The De Menzes family representative also said that it was highly probable that Charlie 12 had been so “consumed” with the thought of what De Menezes might of done the previous day that he did not asses the situation appropriately

The representatives for the police marksman refute the claims made by Mansfield and continue to argue that De Menezes was aggressive when he was apprehended by the Marksman.  C12 has also claimed that he gave De Menezes fair warning by shouting “armed police” when pointing his gun but De Menezes continued to proceed towards him.

Some doubt has been placed over the claim of fair warning being given to De Menezes as the 6 officers on the subway carriage, as well as the 17 passengers who made statements after the shooting never mentioned hearing a warning from C12.

C12 has accepted that he was in a position to apprehend De Menezes before he entered the subway station but was not ordered to do so.

The inquest continues with evidence today from another officer who shot De Menezes who has been named Charlie 2.

British Airways axing it’s Manchester to New York route last week marks the end of the airline’s international flights from any region outside of London.

A new route from Gatwick has replaced the old one so London airports are now the sole location for international arrivals and departures with BA.

Despite the decision to lose regional flights BA are still planning to create a new route between New York and the City Airport in London.

BA explained the motivation behind the decision was performance based. A spokesman said: ” With increased transatlantic competition sadly the passenger yield was diluted, and the route was no longer viable.

“We are fully committed to Manchester, giving customers in the north of England access to our worldwide networks at Heathrow and Gatwick, with about 200 connecting flights a week.

By Cara Liddle and Sean Salhab

Police Outside Saughton Mains House

Teenager Aaron Hunter, 16 has returned to Scotland safe and well after his thirty hour kidnapping ordeal. Aaron was taken from outside his home in  Clermiston Street at noon on friday in the back of a black 4×4 van, he was released unharmed in the town of Warrington in Cheshire 5pm saturday evening.

Aaron was the abducted by armed Glaswegian gangsters, forced into the back of a black 4×4 van and driven 200miles across the border in order to receive a ransom for the boy.

He was handed over to Liverpudlians in order to “send a message” to novice Edinbugh dealers who conned English drug barrons with £100, 000 fake cash in a recent heroin scam.

Lothain and Borders Police spokesman released a statement  ”A full scale operation was launched, and the individual was traced in the Warrington area on Saturday night. He has since been returned safe and well to his family.”

The police also had cars surrounding a house in Saughton Mains and Stevenson Drive in relation to this incident.

Police said that the original dealer was also the target of a recent failed shooting and is not the first of attacks made as part of an on going feud between gang members from across the country.

The teenagers family managed to persuade kidnappers to postpone their threats to kill Aaron and went into negotiations with detectives without the gangsters knowledge. No money was exchanged in return for the boys safe release.

Haymarket War Memorial

The Heart of Midlothian War Memorial is to be put back in its rightful place at Haymarket, a stones throw away from its previous location, city leaders have confirmed.

The memorial was set to be permanently moved to an obscure location in Atholl Crescent, of the main street and behind a row of trees, on the recommendation of tram company TIE.

But now a temporary stone to remember those who fought in the Great War will be laid in the street until 2011 when the memorial clock will be brought out of storage and put back into its location.

The news was cautiously welcomed by fans of the club and campaigners alike who are still concerned of its two year absence.

Jack Alexander, of the Friends of the Heart of Midlothain War Memorial said: “The clarification is good news but we will carry on with our campaign, we need to get the Historic Scotland listing improved, it is something which probably should have been done 30 years ago. We’re not terribly happy with the two-year absence. The only people who want to have a two-year consultation are the officials who propose moving it to Atholl Crescent.”

The memorial was built in 1922 to commemorate the team’s footballers who had signed up to fight in the First World War. Every year fans of the club and the general public gather on Remembrance Day Sunday to pay their respects to those who died for their country.

Councillor Cardownie who issued the statement about the memorial’s return to its location, said: “It was important to allay the fears of both Hearts supporters and the wider public.The memorial was always to return to Haymarket, the best place to be seen to remind people of the sacrifice of these brave men, particularly on Remembrance Sunday. It will return to Haymarket, and to a stone’s throw away from where it is currently located.”

Hearts were the first team to enlist in the war and a spokesperson for the club said: “The Heart of Midlothian Football Club war memorial is every bit as important as Tynecastle Stadium itself. There is one home and one home only for the war memorial and there should be an immediate reinstatement of the memorial to Haymarket on conclusion of the tram works.”

Come the end of works to the Edinburgh trams the campaign will hope that it has been a true success and the memorial is back where it belongs.

George Osborne yesterday apologised again for his ‘mistake’ over his meeting with a Russian billionaire.

The Shadow Chancellor made it clear that he believed his error to be a lack of judgement rather than a legal issue. However the question remains, if no money changed hands or was even asked for, then why is an apology required?

He said: “I think I did make a mistake. I think in politics it is not just what you say or what you do, it is how things look. I must be honest, it didn’t look very good.”

Mr Osborne, then, believes that the issue is more of a public relations error. Yet the actual content of his conversations remain unclear.

Labour MP Denis MacShane said: “George Osborne is still refusing to come clean with the public about the nature of the conversations he had in which donations to the Conservative Party were discussed.

“He has now confessed that he made an error of judgement but, for the sake of clean politics, he now needs to answer the questions he refused to answer last week.”

Mr Osborne released a 900 word statement to the public last week explaining his encounter with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, but has refused to give details of any discussions over donations.

As foreign nationals are not allowed by law to donate to a British political party, further questions have been raised which details of these undisclosed conversations could answer.

With a poll carried out today by The Independent shortening the Conservative lead over Labour by eleven points, these allegations about the Shadow Chancellor could mark another defeat in David Cameron’s PR war.