2009 October 14

Numbers running at high rate

October 14, 2009 By vintagewintage Leave a Comment

By Ross Winton

Edinburgh’s 2010 half marathon has recieved a massive boost with news that this year’s event has received a record number of entrants for this time of year.

The event, which takes place in April next year, already has 800 registered participants, and with six months left until the big day, next Spring’s run looks set to reach an all time record number.

Last year’s event saw triple olympic gold medalist and Edinburgh native Sir Chris Hoy in attendance which was naturally a massive draw for the vastly popular charity run.

The thirteen mile journey will commence from Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium, and see the runners struggle along the glorious Firth of Forth until reaching Prestonpans, at where they will double back on themselves before culminating in a grand finish at Mussleburgh Racecourse.

Race Director Mike James expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event.

” We have 800 runners so far, which is well ahead of this time last year. We hope to have between 3,500 and 4,000 runners.”

“Runners should take part in this event as it is as fast, flat course from Edinburgh to Mussleburgh with some stunning views along the way.”

“We are dedicated to offer a peoples challenge event for runners of all abilities.”

“Chris Hoy was here in 2009 and we hope he will be in attendance again.”

The race costs a very modest £27 to enter, and all runners must be representing a charity of their choice.

The run, sponsored by recognised companies like Highland Spring and Lucozade, will get underway at 9am on Sunday April 18th.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/edinburgh/548431420481

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Remains found in garden are confirmed as missing woman’s.

October 14, 2009 By Emma Hamilton Leave a Comment

By Emma Hamilton

Human remains of a woman missing for more than a year have been found in a garden in Edinburgh.

Police confirmed yesterday , after forensic tests, that the body remains found in the Duddingston area of Edinburgh are those of missing woman Samantha Wright.

Police began a search on Monday evening in Magdalene Drive, a council estate and found Ms Wr

ight’s remains in the back garden.

Missing Woman found dead, Samantha Wright

It has been reported that officers are still investigating the scene and continuing to dig up the area for more evidence.

The 25 year-old, originally from Stevenage, Hertfordshire moved to Edinburgh 3 years ago, after visiting the city with her family. She was last seen on 12th June 2008 leaving the Jobcentre in High Riggs.

Ms Wright was reported missing by her family in January 2009 after they failed to receive a phone call from her at Christmas or her birthday. Suspicions were also raised when they discovered Ms Wright had not used her mobile phone or withdrawn any money from her bank account.

A man, Robert Chalmers age 57 has been arrested and charged in connection with the findings. According to reports, a man, suspected to be Chalmers, was seen on CCTV footage walking alongside Samantha on the day she went missing.

Chalmers was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Residents in Magdalene Drive, where Ms Wright’s remains were found are said to be extremely shocked at the discovery and are now fearing for their children’s safety as many of them play outside around the area of the findings.

Lothian and Borders Police have confirmed they have now closed the missing persons case and have reopened it as an enquiry as to Ms Wright died. Chief Inspector Paul Bullen said “It is with great sadness that we bring our missing persons investigation to a close and must now begin a new line of enquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.”

Police are urging anyone who knows what happened to Samantha between being seen on CCTV in Edinburgh’s east end to being found in Magdalene Drive, to contact them immediately.

Filed Under: Courts and Crime, Life and Society, News in Brief Tagged With: Crime, Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders Police

The Citizen Blogger-Coming To A City Near You

October 14, 2009 By kirapascalle 1 Comment

by Kira Weir

The Guardian have announced that they will hire bloggers to provide local news in three major cities

The Guardian newspaper plans to implement the use of locals in Leeds, Cardiff and Edinburgh by the start of next year. The service, entitled Guardian Local will use the writings of inhabitants of each respective city to source local news.

The job is advertised on the Guardian’s recruitment website encourages those without any Journalistic qualifications to apply for the job stating that such is “desirable” but not a requirement.

The advertisement states

” This is a completely new role for the Guardian, which we believe reflects the shifting nature of journalism.” and asks for those to apply who possess a “willingness to embrace new working methods.” The role will require applicants to be familiar with the ever growing “bloggersphere” and sites such as Twitter.

Some fear that this will result in widespread cases of news being reported as fact that is based in fiction. One much publicised example of this shows that blogs can spread rumour like wildfire. In the case of a fake CNN website that was producing bogus stories that were then taken up by other online news publications and published as fact on 2003.

The newspaper however claims that Guardian Local will combat the possibility of “corruption” in local new reporting in the press release from Emily Bell.

photograph courtesy of She Writes

The service is set to be available in January 2010 and the deadline for applications is the 8th of November.

Filed Under: Economy and Business, Life and Society Tagged With: blogging, blogs, Cardiff, CNN, Edinburgh, fake websites, Guardian Local, Leeds, local news, news industry, NUJ, online news publication, recruitment, The Guardian, twitter

Conference to end tax dodging

October 14, 2009 By m08006325 Leave a Comment

By Melissa Robertson

The Scotland Malawi Partnership Conference held on Wednesday the 7th of October announced that billions of dollars were lost to developing nations as a result international tax dodging. Christian Aid and the Scotland Malawi Partnership have joined forces to raise awareness of the devistating affects of cooporate companies who dodge their taxes each year.The conference was held in Edinburgh City Chambers.

The Christian Aid report 2009 states that “The estimated $ 160bn a year lost to developing countries . . . could save the lives of 350,000 children under the age of 5 each year”. It also states that “Tax is the most sustainable source of revenue for developing countries”.

The Scottish government has committed £13m to support five main countries in Africa including Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Sudan over the next three years. Alex Cobham, Head of Policy for Christian aid claims that although it is a good effort by the government outweigh the loss of funding to the developing countries through taxes.

Jack McConnell (courtesy of www.scottishlabour.org.uk)

MSP Jack McConnell reiterated the deep history that Scotland and Malawi have. He firmly declared that “Scotland had a wider responsibility than just promoting our own wealth and development.” and that “there had to be a moral purpose to our international relationships too”.

McConnell urged the different organizations represented to stand out against injustice and that ordinary people working together are capable to do extraordinary things.

Filed Under: News in Brief Tagged With: Christian Aid, Malawi, Scotland MAlawi Partnership, Tax

The SPSC Five

October 14, 2009 By Ahmed Asif Leave a Comment

By Ahmed Asif

Five members of a pro-Palestinian group are appearing in court on the charge of racism after protesting at the Edinburgh Festival against the Jerusalem Quartet.

The members of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign interrupted the performance on the 29th of August by shouting anti-Israeli slogans during the performance, chants of “End the siege of Gaza” and “Boycott Israel” were echoed throughout the hall.

One of the members who participated in the protest who was subsequently arrested by police stated on the nature of the arrest that “Given the absurd nature of the charge clearly designed to criminalise the growing campaign to boycott Apartheid Israel until it respects Palestinian human rights, rather than oppose the new charges, we welcomed the opportunity to highlight that to boycott Israel is the opposite of racist”.

pro-Palestine supporters protest outside the Queen's Hall in Edinburgh. (Picture courtesy of Edinburgh News).

The Jerusalem Quartet started their performance but were interrupted on several occasions, as the first protester was escorted out by police and the performance resumed another pro-Palestine supporter stood up and voiced her say stating that Palestinians could not enjoy the same level of freedom of movement as the Israeli’s and also criticised the Israeli army.

The original charge of breach of peace was upgraded by the procurator fiscal a week before the trial was due to begin. The procurator fiscal felt that that the conduct of the five members of the SPSC was “racially motivated”.

The SPSC targeted this group because they all participated in active military service in the IDF and also because the Jerusalem Quartet is supported by the Israeli government who they accuse of violating Palestinian human rights and their ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

Journalist and honorary President of the SPSC, Marion Woolfson stated that the charges being put forward against her fellow members as “ridiculous”.

Lothian and Borders Police declined to comment under the Data Protection Act.

The trial continues.

Filed Under: Courts and Crime, News in Brief Tagged With: israel, Jerusalem Quartet, scottish palestine solidarity campaign

Auld Reekie to stage Halloween Horrors

October 14, 2009 By bigkmack Leave a Comment

BY KYLE McCAIG

Halloween Celebrations in Edinburgh Hallowe’en Celebrations in Edinburgh (www.thedungeons.com)

Edinburgh is to play host to several Hallowe’en events this year, including record breaking attempts at the city’s famous dungeons.

Scotland’s year long homecoming celebrations are to continue through Hallowe’en with a bumper pack of events in Scotland’s capital. The events will kick-off this coming Sunday, the 18th of October, and will run until the 2nd November.

Event highlights include 2 record breaking attempts at the Edinburgh Dungeons, a ghost hunt night vigil and supernatural history tours.

Councillor Jenny Dawe will be involved in the dungeons hallowe’en celebrations, acting as adjudicator for their attempt at breaking the world record for most faces painted in an hour.

Organisers are keen to use “eerie” Edinburgh’s past as a backdrop for the ghostly celebrations, with a press release reminding revellers of the city’s ghoulish past, including famous body snatchers Burke and Hare and Robert Louis Stevenson creations Jekyll and Hyde.

“Auld Reekie is filled with fabulously frightening festivities this Halloween” – Minty Woolgar, Visit Scotland

Other festive celebrations are planned around the city and in surrounding areas. The annual Celtic procession along the Royal Mile – The Beltane – will continue this year and a “grizzly ghost hunt” will take place at “Scotland’s infamous haunted house” in Midlothian, Vogrie Country House.

Edinburgh residents are said to be excited by this years upcoming events, with one member of the public stating

“This years events look exciting, the world record attempts and ghostly tours are fun for everyone and should make the homecoming halloween in Edinburgh one of the best yet”

Filed Under: Entertainment, Life and Society, News in Brief Tagged With: auld reekie, Edinburgh, Halloween, Homecoming, Robert Louis Stevenson, Vogrie

Less money for women’s refuge

October 14, 2009 By charlotteturner1 Leave a Comment

"Strength" Shakti Women's Aid

By Charlotte Turner

Edinburgh Local Government cut funding for black minority ethnic women’s refuge by ten percent.

Shakti Women’s Aid are experiencing cut backs in funding as a direct result of the recession.

Cutbacks in funding will mean services that were previously available to women experiencing and/or fleeing from domestic abuse will be reduced.

Reductions in the hours staff can work have been made in order to curb spending.

Information and education officer Mridul Wadhaw explained:

“Staff can no longer work as many hours. This means extra services such a social activities have had to stop.”

Mridul highlights the set backs Shakti Women’s Aid are experiencing:

“The cutbacks have not effected our core one on one service. It is the extra services that we previously offered that we have had to stop. These were therapeutic activities, such as a women’s group and parties for children and the women.”

The extra social activities helped to increase the support given to the women and minimize the feeling of isolation women fleeing domestic abuse may feel. Now that these services have been reduced the sense of unity these activities previously provided will be significantly less.

Shakti Women’s Aid provide a unique service for BME women and their children. They provide a wide range of services for these women. From safe refuge for both woman and child to stay, legal advice and even translations.

“Over 10 years Shakti has made a positive difference to the lives of over 1600 women and their children.”

Filed Under: Economy and Business, Life and Society Tagged With: BME, Local Government, recession, Women, Women's Aid Scotland

Four Square stop over hostel turns away applicants

October 14, 2009 By jonathanbradwell Leave a Comment

By Jonathan Bradwell.

Courtesy of "State of the Union"

Four square, the accommodation and support company for the homeless, has had to turn away applicants in Edinburgh due to its popularity after the closure of other hostels in the city.

Following the closure of Allelon House, the bail hostel in Edinburgh, the stop over accommodation situated on Grove Street has seen a rise in people applying for the temporary housing solutions.

A spokesperson for Four Square told Edinburgh Napier News that “in the last few months, following the Allelon bail house closure, there has been an increase in the applicants here”.

He went on to say that “We only have sixteen beds so we have to turn some people down”.

Following the closure of the bail house, the stop over hostel has seen an increase in applicants who are not suitable for the type of accommodation offered by Four Square at this location.

The Spokesperson commented: “We have the criminal minded wanting to stay at the stop over hostel”. This stop over hostel was not built to accommodate people with criminal records, and so a place can not always be offered.

The stop over hostel owned by Four Square, a company that has its roots back to the 1970′s when the first advice centre was opened, is a refuge for vulnerable youths (aged between 16 and 21), where youngsters can stay up to three months whilst they are given help to relocate.

Interviews are given to newcomers, and then it is decided by two members of staff whether the person is eligible for the emergency housing.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Four Square

Foolish Facebook Fraudster Caught In Cancun

October 14, 2009 By mikeymclintock Leave a Comment

By Michael McLintock

A man who has has been on the run from US authorities after allegedly stealing over $200,000 has been caught in a holiday resort in Cancun.

Mr Maxi Sopo learned earlier in the year that US authorities had gained information about his fraud and fled to Cancun, Mexico.

Picture of Sopo, provided by the Seattle U.S Attorney's office

Sopo, 26, regularly updated his Facebook status to gloat about his life and how much fun he was having at the resort. Sopo said he was “loving it” and boasted he was “living in paradise”

Michael Scoville, US Assistant Attorney who assisted in tracking down Sopo said that “He was making posts about his beautiful life and how he was having a good time with his buddies”

He then went onto say “He was definitely not living the way we wanted him too, giving the charges he was facing”

The Cameroon-born fraudster originally worked in Seattle nightclubs selling roses.

Sopo was caught when he befriended a former justice department official on Facebook.

It was revealed that a secret service agent, Seth Reeg, had traced Sopo’s Facebook page and tracked his friends list down, finding the former justice official.

Reeg contacted the former justice official who helped track down Sopo.

Sopo is currently being held in custody in Mexico waiting to the US where he will stand trial facing charges of bank fraud.

Sopo’s accomplice Edward Asatoorians, was convicted by a federal jury in Seattle last week.

Sopo, if convicted, is expected to receive a sentence of roughly 30 years.

Filed Under: World In Depth Tagged With: cameroon-born, Facebook, fraudster, Maxi Sopo, Mexico

Somalian to represent Scotland

October 14, 2009 By rosscdoyle Leave a Comment

By Ross Doyle

Teenage footballer Islam Feruz was this week called up to the Scotland U17′s squad
The Somalia born 14 year-old moved to Glasgow when he was 7 and has

"proud to wear the Scotland jersey" http://pictures.footymad.net/upload/246/448851-3.jpg

"proud to wear the Scotland jersey" picture.footymad.net

worked his way through the youth setup at Celtic FC.

Feruz has benefited from the new FIFA rule changes which allows players who own a British passport and have at least 5 years education with the UK to represent one of the home nations.

Islam Feruz has already impressed at youth level, representing the Celtic U19′s team on several occasions, making his debut while still just 13 years old.

He also has the required education period from attending Glasgow’s Hillhead High School.

“I have been very proud to live in Scotland” said Feruz after his call-up, “I would like to thank Celtic for all it has done for me over the past 5 years”.

Islam will likely receive his first U17 cap during the upcoming European Championship qualifiers from October 20-25th

SFA Cheif Executive Gordon Smith was delighted by the rule change which will benefit Scottish football as a whole, “Islam is a fine example of the type of person this new rule is designed to benefit.” The move will help promote social inclusion in football and incorporate with changes in society.

The rule change has also seen other footballer’s come into contention for call-ups to the national set-up including the much debated possible inclusion of Andrew Driver. The highly rated Hearts winger has no Scottish blood relation but has been resident within Scotland long enough to seek benefit from the new FIFA rules.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Celtic, Celtic U19's, Football, Glasgow, Islam Feruz, Scotland, Scottish Football, Somalia, Somalian, u17's

Tram Works Uncover Airport Bomb

October 14, 2009 By Andrew Stewart Leave a Comment

By Andrew Stewart

An unexploded ordnance device was uncovered yesterday on Burnside road which is in the vicinity of the main terminal of Edinburgh International airport by tram line workers yesterday.

A spokesman for the airport said yesterday, “At 10am a suspected unexploded ordnance device was discovered near the main terminal of Edinburgh Airport”. The spokesman continued, “This followed ongoing excavation works that are taking place as part of the Edinburgh tram work”.

The British Airport Authority (BAA) said that despite the bomb scare the airport worked as normal throughout.

The main Terminal at Edinburgh Airport

Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE), the company in charge of building the new tram lines throughout Scotland’s capital insist that the incident has caused no delay to the work on the lines.

Customer services director, Mandy Haeburn-Little said of the incident, “Bomb disposal experts were immediately called to the scene and have now removed the object. The airport operated normally throughout and no flights were affected.”

“as soon as it was discovered , the relevant authorities were notified and appropriate action taken to ensure the safety of anyone in the vicinity”

Before being under control by the ministry of aviation from 1960 onwards, Edinburgh airport was owned by the Ministry of Defense and used as a military airport being the most northerly defense base during the Great War. It is though that this is where the shell originated but as of late last night it is still unsure.

Lothian and Borders police later announced that an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team had safely removed the device and conducted a controlled explosion.

Filed Under: Life and Society, News in Brief, Travel and Communities Tagged With: bomb, Edinburgh Airport, shell, travel