By Marii Stoltsen

On October 17, President George W. Bush played host to the representatives of seven countries as he declared their inclusion into the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP) starting November, 17. Under the law, the citizens of these countries – the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and South Korea – will be able to travel to the United States for business or tourism without visa for up to 90 days, finally receiving the same privilege they have accorded to US citizens for years.

President Bush accounted for the delay by stating that after the events of September 11 the US “could only expand travel opportunities if [they] increased security measures at the same time.” The countries joining the VWP in November have agreed to implement the Electronic System for Travel Authorization [ESTA] for screening passengers that requires them to register online at least two days ahead of their visits to the United States. In addition to this, anyone wishing to travel to the States must own a tamper-proof biometric passport.

This announcement marked the first step of success in the Administration’s effort to modernise the VWP, as well as the realisation of the President’s belief that “the best foreign policy for America is one that lets visitors get to know this great country firsthand.” The representatives of Bulgaria, Cyrpus, Greece, Malta, Poland, and Romania also attended the press conference as the members of the six countries currently participating in the “visa waiver road map” process.

Currently there are 27 countries included in the VWP and these new additions set high hopes for other countries seeking to solidify their alliance to the United States. With one of the most isolationist nations opening up to all parts of the world and extending trust, a new chapter in international relations has indeed begun.

By Alicia Warner

There are artists that have made a career of depicting the sexual nature of humans and have always received objections to the level of controversy. However, a proposed legislation against pornography will mean that one day these artists could be seen as ‘criminals’ in the eyes of the law.

The proposed legislation, under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, reflects how much we may be losing our right to free expression.

The change in the law was set up intended to target those that view illegal porn websites, ultimately shifting the criminal responsibility from the producer to the consumer. Initially proposed to rid of porn that depicts sexual violence, the law in fact concerns itself with much more.

Artists such as Ben Westwood, son of the famous fashion designer Vivienne, are fighting in a campaign against the attack on pornography, as his line of photography is famous for depicting erotic imagery that explores human sexuality. His 2005 publication, “F**k Fashion” depicts images of women bound and gagged. Although the women in the photographs are all consenting models soon those that are found in possession of the book would effectively be breaking the law. Arguably soft porn, Westwood proudly concerns himself with the art world and fights for his position.

Westwood has joined the campaign Caan – the Consenting Adults Action Network – to fight alongside those that fear for their careers. If the legislation is passed the likes of Westwood and Tracey Emin will be in the same league as thieves and fraudsters; everyday criminals, only because of what their artwork expresses.

It is difficult to draw fine line is between ‘arts’ and ‘porn’ and it’s easy to understand why some would want to be protected from the world of explicitly sexual media. However, it seems absurd that artists should be called ‘criminals’ as a result.

Hacked: Chick was in agony

By James Davies

What was supposed to be a friendly kick about between Holyroods main men, and a team of sports journalists had to be abandoned when violence kicked off.

MSP’s were branded ‘foul mouthed thugs’ after the referee was forced to blow the whistle on the friendly match just 10 minutes in to the second half. The ref had no choice but to bring a halt to the match after TV Pundit, Chick Young, was brutally hacked by Labours John Park, following a series of other childish antics.

The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife hacked down the 57 year old pundit in what was described as an ‘over-the-top challenge’ which resulted in chick getting carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

The politicians squad was made up of Labours Mid Scotland and Fife MSP John Park, Eastwood MSP Ken Macintosh, Former Sports Minister Frank McAveety, MSP for East Kilbride and former Government Minister Andy Kerr, Glasgow Labour Councillor Gorge Redmond and SNP’s Central Scotland representative Jamie Hepburn.

The Bank Of Scotland sponsored match was abandoned after 55 minutes when pundit Chick Young was carried off the pitch on a stretcher with what he initially thought was a broken ankle. He blasted the politicians and said: “they were a team of thugs.

“Some of the tackles and comments were shocking. They are the people who are running the country and they were a team of thugs. It makes you think about who is actually running the country. One of the MSPs was giving the ref pelters. His language was awful.

“This was supposed to be just a kick about but it was out of order. I thought I had broken my ankle. The guy came in with a straight leg and with his studs up. I was in agony. Even while I was lying on the ground someone tried to stand on my fingers. I’ve been playing friendly matches for 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Mr Park – who was substituted after his violent tackle – said: ” It was a bit of a late tackle on Chick. It was a bit rash. I wasn’t sent off, it was more of an enforced substitution. I didn’t see what happened at the end.

” I was already in the showers and the next thing everybody was wandering in and saying the ref had abandoned the match. I wouldn’t have said it was out of order. Although, I do remember the referee telling us to grow up and pack it in.

Even before the match started, there was tension in the air when Glasgow Councillor, George Redmond, screamed ‘let’s get these c***s’ in a raging battle cry. Mr Redmond,40, accused the Journalist team of being too soft: “I wouldn’t say it was out of order. I think the journalists were frustrated because they were getting beat”.

The match was abandoned with the politicians leading 6-2 after a punch up between nine people. Shamed politicians say no blows were exchanged, but are now having to face the rough times ahead.

Hundreds of tenants are set to be forced from their homes after Glasgow City Council opted to demolish their houses against residents will.

The people of Pinkston, Sighthill, in the north of Glasgow lost the fight to keep their homes as of the 31st of October 2008, when the conclusion to a meeting at the city chambers was to “comprehensively regenerate” the area.

The conclusions drawn from the meeting were published to the council’s website which stated that they would attend to “the rehousing issues in relation to the demolition of multi storey properties in Sighthill.”

This will come as a blow to locals, who formed the pressure group “Sighthill – Save Our Homes” in 2005 when the estate was first shortlisted for demolition without the consent of locals.

The estate, which is made up of ten 20 storey tower blocks is split equally into two areas: Pinkston and Fountainwell.

SSOH found at the time that 80% of residents in Pinkston opposed demolition while 72% of Fountainwell residents were against their homes being razed. Demolition in Fountainwell began in July but residents in Pinkston were still hopeful of keeping their flats.

The pressure group were unavailable for comment.

By Christopher Hall

The striker has expressed interest in Playing for Scotland

The long running saga of Rangers striker Nacho Novo’s eligibility to play for his adopted nation Scotland gained no further progress yesterday.

Scotland Manager George Burley has yet to make an official statement on the issue but has expressed his desire that the bit-part winger be allowed to turn out for the national side if he obtains citizenship and is playing well for his club.

The Spaniard has no Scottish relatives but has lived in the country for over eight years and is currently eligible for a British passport.

Novo started his career with Raith Rovers in 2001 after moving from Spanish Minnows SD Huesca. He then enjoyed 2 years with Dundee before making a dream switch to Glasgow giants Rangers for £450,000 in the summer of 2004, expressing his desire to remain in Scotland for the remainder of his career.

But former Scotland midfielder, Murdo Macleod, has urged FIFA to re-consider their residency rulings, which would make the Spaniard the first non-related Scottish player to pull on the dark blue jersey.

He said: “With football laws, I think you have to look at people who are born here, that your parents are Scottish or go as far back as your grandparents”

In contrast, SFA spokesman Rob Shorthouse added fuel to the flames by insisting that the Forward would certainly be considered In Burley’s setup if granted dual nationality.

Shorthouse commented: “I know George Peat expressed his own personal opinion that it should be based on bloodlines but the regulations are that if he is eligible he’ll be considered.”

“If a player is eligible then, like any other player, he will be up for consideration”.

The statement comes only weeks after Rangers Striker Kris Boyd, 25, expressed his intentions to never again play for the national team under George Burley after the Scotland gaffer chose debutant Chris Ilewumo over the Ibrox hitman in the recent draw with Norway at Hampden.

By Chris Hall

Government figures show many teens may not be taking what they are owed

Students in Scotland may not be taking advantage of their full financial entitlements, a recent study by the Student Loans Company (SLC) has proven.

Many students who are granted loans may not be aware of other supplementary benefits and entitlements which may be being overlooked by youngsters around the country.

The average student in Scotland leaves University in £11,000 worth of debt.

The Statistics Publication Notice, published in June 2008, highlights that £192.8m was spent on maintenance loans during the financial year 2007/2008.

When compared with the previous year figures, this highlights a dramatic rise of 5% from the year 2006/2007.

These figures may be down to a lack of publicity regarding other benefits outside of the loan which are available to students studying in Scotland.

The Young Students Bursary (YSB), provided by the Students award agency for Scotland (SAAS) since 2001, is available to students whose parent’s income is less than £33,370, with a maximum payout of £2,575 which does not need to be reimbursed and can supplement part of the student loan, reducing the debt of the student in question.

Students studying outside of Scotland can also apply for the Students outside of Scotland bursary (SOSB) up to a maximum of £2,095 per year, providing vital extra income for students living elsewhere in the UK or abroad.

Those with disabilities are also covered by the Disabled students allowance while single parents can apply for the Lone Parents Grant which provides funds of more than £1,270 per year.

Travel times and distances can also be an issue for many students and to counter this The Student Loans Company provides Travel expenses up to a maximum of £900 per year dependent on the student’s financial and personal circumstances.

The figures come after Scottish students were recently freed from paying tuition fees which are now covered by SAAS on application to University.