2009 November 11

Researchers Discover New alzheimer’s Test

November 11, 2009 By Emma Leave a Comment

Edinburgh researchers have discovered a multi-tasking test that can eliminate the confusion between the symptoms of early Alzheimer’s and depression.

Alzheimer’s and depression can be easily confused as sufferers of both illnesses have similar symptoms in the early stages. such as, personality changed and impaired memory.

The team from Edinburgh University led by professor Sergio Della Sala compared the multi-tasking ability of sufferers of Alzheimer’s, sufferers of chronic depression and that of healthy elderly people who have had no major memory problems in the past.

Alzheimer Scotland dementia helpline

The findings revealed that those with Alzheimer’s performed significantly worse that the other groups tested. The findings were reported in the journal of neurology.

Elaine Harley the Dementia help line manger for Alzheimer Scotland explains the benefits of catching dementia at its early stages; “if dementia is caught early the sufferer can make future plans, legal issues, giving a loved one legal rights and just generally time to think about life and the future.” This can alleviate stress and anxiety for the sufferer and family involved.

Approximately 69’500 people have dementia in Scotland and around 2’300 of these people are under 65. In Edinburgh alone there are just over 6’000 people suffering from the illness.

It is important to spot the early signs of dementia as vital counselling and drugs can be administered. Elaine Harley explains these signs;”memory issues are the first sign, things like not being able to manage with everyday life, making decisions personality changes. A person who is very placid can become very agitated and angry or vice versa.”

Hopefully this innovative test will assist in an earlier diagnosis for people with this debilitating disease, making life easier for the sufferers and those around them.

Filed Under: Science and Technology Tagged With: Dementia

T’s for Trust launches in River Island

November 11, 2009 By Emma Hamilton Leave a Comment

By Emma Hamilton

High street fashion store River Island launches a T’s for Trust campaign in selected stores across Britain tomorrow, Thursday 12th November.

The fashion store has teamed up with Prince’s Trust celebrity ambassadors, Alesha Dixon, Pixie Lott, Kelly Rowland and male band Kid British to create a t-shirt collection to raise money for The Prince’s Trust Charity.

The collection has been designed by River Island’s young designers with the ambassadors in mind and is aimed to reflect the stars personal style. The collection consists of three t-shirt dresses for women and four t-shirts for men.

riverisland_tsfortrust_pixielott_kellyrowland

T's for Trust: Celebrity dresses.

The t-shirt dresses for women reflect an array of styles and are sure to be on every woman’s wish list for the festive party season.

Alesha Dixon’s t-shirt dress is full of bright colours and sparkle. The dress is covered in purple sequins and has beautiful purple and pastel yellow coloured floral motifs at the top of the dress on either side.

Alesha loves the bright colour of the dress and its versatility, as she says, “You can wear my tee with shorts, you can wear it with leggings or you can wear it as a dress. It’s got flowers which I absolutely adore and lots of colour.”

From bright colours to bright print, Pixie Lott’s dress is a zebra print number with a touch of punk rock chick to it with studs on either shoulder and also features this seasons key trend of fringing, draped from either shoulder.

Pixie says “I love the t-shirt dress River Island created for me, I think it’s really cool – the lengths perfect the fringing wicked and i love both the print and the black version. It’s great that this is being sold in River Island and will hopefully raise lots of money for The Prince’s Trust.” The dress is also available in black and is set to be a best-seller.

The design created for Kelly Rowland echoes a glamourous, sophisticated look and is certainly the most extravagant with the price at £99.99. The dress is one- shouldered and covered in gorgeous crystals and diamontes.

The starlet says, “All of the lovely, sequins, trinkets and diamontes on this dress remind me of being on stage and that’s what I love. It’s very fitted , just how I like my clothes to be. I love what The Prince’s Trust does and I’m excited that River Island and The Prince’s Trust have come together for this great cause.”

All the T’s for Trust designs are available in selected River Island stores from tomorrow.

The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity that gives practical and financial support to 14-30 year olds that have struggled at school, been in care , are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

The Prince’s Trust is extremely happy to be working with River Island.

Geraldine Gammell, Director of The Prince’s Trust in Scotland said, “The new range being introduced at River Island is a fantastic way to highlight the work of The Prince’s Trust. The T-shirts are an ideal way for individuals to help support the charity and make a lasting difference to the lives of young people throughout the country. The designs from our ambassador’s are fresh and vibrant, perfect for the festive season and I’m sure will prove hugely popular.”

The Prince’s Trust has helped more than 600,000 young people since 1976.

Filed Under: Life and Society, News in Brief Tagged With: Celebrities, Charity, Fashion, River Island

Animal testing could be replaced by lab-grown cells

November 11, 2009 By LinnD Leave a Comment

by Linn Dupont

Today is the official launch of the Centre for Nano Safety at Edinburgh’s Napier University. Scientists in Scotland are presenting their work on a way to use laboratory-grown cells as a future replacement for animal testing. The study is called InLiveTox and is a collaboration between the Scottish team and teams in Italy and Switzerland.

The emphasis of the study lies is to further investigate the effects of nanoparticles. Cells that are being created in the laboratory are extremely tiny substances that are thousands of times smaller than the diameter of a hair. Such substances are increasingly being used in drugs, electronics, tennis rackets, paint, car polish and sun screen.

Professor Vicki Stone leads the unit at Edinburgh’s Napier University. Stone explains that their role is to determine the baseline toxicity of certain particles in each cell type both individually and then in combination. If the project continues to succeed, it could mean that we have a very valuable substitute which could lead to a alternative to the use of animals in future tests.

“It’s all very new, but if we have high hopes on the InLiveTox mainly when it comes to replacing animal testing on dietary products, cosmetics and medicine. The success of such a project could be a huge step for mankind”, says Stone.

Stone’s teams goal is to generate systems of different cells working together before they are combined for further tests by European laboratories.

Laboratory-grown cells

Filed Under: Science and Technology Tagged With: animal testing, cosmetics, Edinburgh Napier University, InLiveTox, Italy, lab-grown cells, medicines, scientists, Scottish team, Switzerland, Vicki Stone

Rememberance day protests marr Scotish Football

November 11, 2009 By bigkmack Leave a Comment

BY KYLE MCCAIG

Willie Angus - the first ever territorial soldier to win the Victoria cross and a former Celtic player

Celtic football club and “a very small minority or its supporters” were at the centre of a remembrance day row after the weekends match against Falkirk was overshadowed by protests.

In a weekend of little if any opposition to the remembrance day tributes paid at football grounds across the country, a minutes silence respected almost impeccably by those inside the Falkirk stadium, was ruined by chants and songs of Irish republican protest seemingly from Celtic fans outside the stadium.

After Sky sports, the broadcasters of the match, dubbed out the singing many were shocked to hear of the protests after fans video’s of the offending actions were posted on YOUTUBE.

A Celtic Fc spokesman said this about the furor ”As expected the minutes silence was impeccably observed by supporters inside the stadium” they also said they “understand that outside the stadium a very small minority were singing and, whether intentionally or not, disrupted the silence” In further contact with the club, they refused to be drawn further on the incidents and instead consider the matter closed.

Neil Griffiths of the British Legion was incensed about the protests citing a lack of knowledge from the offending fans ”like everybody we were horrified by what happened . . . If they knew more about the history of the club and their links to the armed forces they would perhaps have a different view”

Griffiths also referred to former Celtic player Willie Angus ,who was a awarded the Victoria cross and was the first ever Scottish territorial soldier to win the award, as an example of the clubs history to which the fans should be aware.

Filed Under: All Politics, News in Brief, Sports Tagged With: BBC, celtic fc, falkirk, Football, Remembrance Day, Scotland, sky sports

Save Our Herbs Campaign – Henry VIII’s Surprise Visit To Parliament

November 11, 2009 By jennif90 Leave a Comment

Herbs - Citydirt.net

By Jennifer Flett

MSPs showed their support outside Scottish Parliament yesterday as members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, concerned constituents and herbal medicine students gathered for a mass lobby.

Under a new EU directive (THMPD) after April, 2011 the public will only be able to buy licensed herbal remedies, which campaigners say, limits the range of medicine people can acquire, at the same time compromising their safety if they then look online for alternatives and possibly poor quality products.

In an attempt to highlight the need for statutory regulation of traditional medicine practitioners, lobbyists wore period Henry VIII costumes.

Their eye-catching costumes were a new ploy to generate more public and media interest, Keren Brynes MacLean from The Kirkcaldy Herbal Clinic who donned one costume said,

“We’re coming at it from a slightly different angle with the Henry theme, you would never expect Henry VIII to turn up at the Scottish Parliament!”

“The 16^th century monarch set up a Herbalists Charter as a starting point of an alternative health care system which is now largely outdated and the period costumes are to put the message across that legislation needs to be modernised”

One herbal medicine student, Alison Baird, from Edinburgh Napier University stated that,

“ At the moment anyone can call themselves herbal medicine practitioners, we need our MSP’s to put more pressure on Government to regulate herbal practitioners and to become integrated into the health care system.

Members of the society believe statutory regulation would allow the public to have the opportunity to access prescription herbs by properly trained practitioners and that without access to a full range of remedies the market will collapse due to a lack of business.

MSPs, came down to speak to campaigners frequently throughout the day to answer constituents’ questions on what government will do for their cause

Shadow Health Secretary, Mary Scanlon explained;

“ I don’t feel that the Save Our Herbs Campaign have communicated effectively with politicians as I don’t know enough about the cause.”

In order to address this problem Scanlon suggested an organised reception with other MSPs.

Campaigner MacLean said of the decision that she thinks they have showed themselves to be, “a cohesive body of professionals, with a lot of public interest.”

The final consultation ran by the Department of Health will be held on the 16^th November to find out whether people think traditional medicine practitioners should be regulated, or not.

Filed Under: All Politics Tagged With: EU, MSP, Scottish Parliament

Trams blamed for mice in chippy

November 11, 2009 By gordo356 Leave a Comment

By Gordon Smith

An Edinburgh chip shop owner has blamed the capital’s tramworks for a mice infestation that led to the immediate closure of his premises.

The discovery was made at Carlo Corolla’s Clifton Fish and Chicken Bar in the busy Haymarket area of the city following a routine inspection by food hygiene officials in February this year.

Appearing for sentencing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Corolla, 41, was fined £1200 for the breaches at the Clifton Terrace premises on February 3rd 2009.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court: Image Courtesy Deadline Scotland

Corolla of Main Street, West Calder, had previously admitted failing to ensure he kept his premises clean, and failing to ensure materials used for wrapping food were not contaminated.

The court heard a dead mouse had been found in the basement of the chip shop, along with a number of droppings. Tests of ice cream wafers by inspectors were also found to contain rodent urine.

Fiscal depute Sally Clark, told the court that food hygiene officials believed the chip shop posed an “imminent risk to customers health” and as a result, was closed immediately. She added that a boarded up window may have allowed the vermin to enter the building.

Defence agent Jim Grant said: “He has been an operator of a takeaway food business for about six years and three at the present premises, without incident.

“He wasn’t aware that he had any mice in the premises, had he known he would have dealt with matters immediately.

“He regrets the situation and would never knowingly put his customers at risk.”

Speaking last night, Mr Corolla said “The work has disturbed their [the mice] nests and everything. All of the shop owners here complain about the tram works. I have not noticed any loss of business yet, hopefully it will stay that way.”

Filed Under: Courts and Crime Tagged With: Chips, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Sheriff Court, fish, haymarket, Hygiene, Takeaway

Promotional Price Powers Go South

November 11, 2009 By kirapascalle Leave a Comment

By Kira Weir

The new licensing laws brought in by Scottish legislation on September the 1st this year now make it illegal to create promotions that last fewer than 72 hours, ban the common “snakebite” unless the half pint of cider and half pint of lager are served to the customer in different glasses and require bar staff to offer water as every second drink a customer receives. Many bars and clubs are struggling to keep customers and attract new ones so how will a fledgling business fair in attracting and keeping a customer base?

The Southern Bar on South Clerk Street has recently been re-opened by two young entrepreneurs Mark Miller (21) and Andy McKenzie (22) who hope to create a popular Edinburgh gig venue. Mark already runs a successful recording studio in Glasgow but neither of the pair have had any experience running or even working in a bar so the venture is something of a baptism of fire.

Andy explained that it took them a long time to finally open the bar and have relied on friends to train as staff to reduce set up costs. The implications of the licensing laws have made it difficult for them to attract their main target market Andy claims to be primarily students and young live music enthusiasts who will undoubtedly appreciate cheap drinks “We have tried to keep the prices kind of level all through the week as it makes it less complicated to tie in with the laws on promotions so really its the same on Monday as a Friday” The tactic may be successful as the bar is fairly busy on a Tuesday night and the barmaid Fiona assures us this is a weekly occurrence with Tuesday being the busiest week night.

The Southern Staff get to grips with some stock management

Without the promise of cheap drink deals, Andy points to the bar’s Facebook page as being their main source of customers and promotion. Local club nights suggest the bar on their page, and in turn, are recommended as a suitable destination after the pub closes with most of the Tuesday regulars heading on to the same club afterwords.

The licensing laws have not made the task of opening the bar too difficult and Andy tells us that the regulations and stipulations for training staff have actually helped them to organize the bar and train efficient staff.

The staff of the Southern Bar don’t see the laws having a great effect on the drinking habits of their customer base and think that if people can’t afford to drink in bars they will drink at home before going out. Andy claims that he doesn’t think they will affect the success of the bar, “We want to start doing food during the day and turn downstairs’ into a really good gig venue” While Fiona seems excited about the prospects of beer and burger offers that are not affected by the licensing legislation. “Plus, a lot of old regulars come in and tell us they like whats going on”

In 1991 this small bar on South Clerk Street in Edinburgh held a gig for one of the most famous grunge bands, Nirvana. The reckless grunge attitude to drinking may no longer be permitted but the Southern Bar seems set to recreate the atmosphere regardless.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: drink promotions, Edinburgh, Edinburgh nightlife, gig venue, grunge, licensing laws, live music, Nirvana, South Clerk Street, student bar

Youth Workers Placed in A&E to Deal with Drunk Children

November 11, 2009 By Andrew Stewart Leave a Comment

by Andrew Stewart

A youth worker will now be present in Livingston St. John’s A&E on Saturday nights from now on in order to provide counseling the increased number of youngsters brought in intoxicated.

This action is in direct response to two recent incidences where primary school children aged 10 and 11 had been picked up by police after being caught drinking in the street. It is also a part of operation floor-sweep.

Operation floor-sweep, launched in February 2007, is an initiative which deals with youth and alcohol related anti-social behaviour and since it was put into action has been credited with 185 under 16s being picked up and a drop 38 % in calls to Lothian police with regards to disruptive behaviour by drunken youths.

Operation floor sweep cracks down on behaviour like this

Chief inspector Jim Baird of Lothian and borders police said of the operation, ‘The Operation set out to achieve a behavioural change in the children rather than a quick short-term fix. It also aimed to make parents take responsibility for their child’s behaviour and to hold those irresponsible enough to supply alcohol to underage children, accountable for their actions and to be punished accordingly.

The drunken youths brought in are referred to WLDAS (West Lothian Drug & Alcohol Services) councillors.

Heather Watson, deputy manager with WLDAS commented that the help-lines ‘regularly talk to kids between the ages of 13 and 14 and even younger’ and that ‘Alcohol dependency (in children) can be the result of poor home-lives or being bullied at school’. When asked whether it was more boys or girls drinking at younger ages Watson replied, ‘We tend to get slightly more boys but there isn’t a noticeable difference ‘.

Filed Under: Life and Society, News in Brief Tagged With: Drunk youth, NHS Lothian and Borders, police, WLDAS

GLASGOW BRACED FOR ANTI-MUSLIM PROTEST BY FOOTBALL HOOLIGANS

November 11, 2009 By Ahmed Asif 1 Comment

By Ahmed Asif

After witnessing violent protests in England by football hooligans against “Islamic Extremists”, Glasgow will soon be the centre of news attention when the Scottish Defence League (SDL) take to the streets next week.

The SDL- a branch of the UK Casuals United- plan to protest on the 14^th of November through the City Centre and also at Glasgow’s biggest mosque, previous protests by similar groups up and down Britain have turned violent with the football hooligans fighting running battles with anti-fascist campaigners and Asian youths.

The English Defence League which is partnered with the Scottish, Welsh and Ulster Defence League state on their website that:“The EDL was formed on the 27th of June, 2009 due to frustration at the lack of any significant action by the British Government against extremist Muslim preachers and organisations” they continued: “Some organisations and media reports have branded the EDL as ‘racist,’ ‘fascist,’ ‘far-right,’ or even ‘Zionist.’ All of these accusations are flat out untrue. We take an actively anti-racist and anti-fascist stance. In addition, the EDL is non-political, taking no position on right-wing vs. left-wing”.

The Scottish Defence League stated on their website:“Despite the lies of some members of the Scottish media we would like to confirm that the SDL is not a sectarian organisation and all members of Scottish society are welcome to join our protest against Islamic militant activity within our nation”. Casuals United consist of football hooligans who have joined forces to confront Muslim extremists, their protests often end in running battles, dozens of arrests and the city left healing picking up the pieces.

Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police have already stated that they will not grant permission for the far right hooligans to march through the streets of Glasgow.

Chair of the Scottish-Islamic Foundation, Asif Ahmed stated: “We congratulate Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Police for the stance that they’ve taken on the SDL. The likelihood is though that even if banned, there will be an illegal protest. We have to be ready for that”.

United Against Fascism (UAF), a group whose main aim is “alerting British society to the rising threat of the extreme right, in particular the British National Party” have been present at the majority of the EDL’s protests in England and have backed the counter protest against the SDL,“In Glasgow, UAF is backing the Scotland United anti-SDL demonstration, which has the backing of the Scottish TUC, the Scottish-Islamic Foundation and a host of other trade unions and civil society organisations” . A statement on the UAF website continued, “We aim to unite the broadest possible spectrum of society to counter this threat”

“Nobody should be fooled by the attempts of the EDL and SDL to pretend they are not racists. Video footage and photos of their demonstrations show EDL supporters chanting disgusting racist slogans and making Nazi “seig heil” salutes. These “peaceful” protesters responded to this evidence by sending death threats to the journalists involved”.

Although the protest by the SDL has not been confirmed officially police are gearing themselves for a possible illegal protest, anti fascist campaigners have already planned to congregate in the town centre in case the football casuals arrive.

The Scottish Islamic Foundation however are not planning to directly confront the SDL, instead an event labelled “Scotland United” has been organised nearby at Glasgow Green. The event is designed to bring together: “faith groups, trade unions, community organisations and politicians to celebrate Scotland’s multiculturalism.”

Human rights lawyer, Aamer Anwar said: “Previous EDL demonstrations have seen their thugs attack Asian people, chant “Muslims out” and worse at passers-by and make “Seig Heil” Nazi salutes. It is vital that we do not allow these racist thugs to terrorise and intimidate Muslim and Asian people. It is not a time to hide but to stand up for a multicultural Glasgow, a multicultural Scotland.”

EDL football hooligans. Courtesy of LancasterUnite online.

Filed Under: All Politics Tagged With: Scotland United, Scottish Islamic Foundation, SDL, Strathclyde Police, UAF

NHS launch online mental health check

November 11, 2009 By jonathanbradwell Leave a Comment

Courtesy of JWT anxiety index

By Jonathan Bradwell

Last month the NHS launched an online mental health check to their website for people concerned about their mental health and well being.

The tool gives the user a series of questions to answer on a variety of subjects.

Depending on the answers given, the tool then calculates what further information each individual needs, and how to seek further advice.

Jacqui Jedrzejewski, the NHS direct national mental health lead, stated “The mental health checker provides an approachable channel for people to address their problems and get the help and advice they need”.

This online resource aims to break through the stigma attached to mental health illnesses.

Jacqui Jedrzejewski stated “The aim is to get people on the right track so they can get on going support”.

One of the outcomes of the check can be a call back from a fully trained nurse. However, these outcomes differ greatly, as the check can simply recommend a trip to the GP to speak about what the online check highlighted.

The check even highlights mental health problems associated with low underlying issues, such as stress, which may be linked to a financial problem.

The NHS highlight that stress is part of our every day lives, and by accepting this, we can begin to tackle mental health problems. This is one of the many areas that the NHS have highlighted to start to deal with mental health issues.

The NHS have a number of other tests, covering a variety of issues, on their website that can be used for a starting point for seeking help about health problems.

Filed Under: News in Brief Tagged With: mental health, NHS

New Church policy leads to increase in young ministers

November 11, 2009 By charlotteturner1 Leave a Comment

Church of Scotland

By Charlotte Turner

The Church of Scotland have recently experienced an influx of young members in their congregation aspiring to become ministers.

Reasons for this can be explained by new Church policy to actively recruit applicants to fill-in the upcoming gaps.

Rev.Dr George. J. Whyte, Clerk of the Edinburgh Presbytery Church of Scotland states:

“The Church recognised that there was a shortage in ministers and put its mind to look for potential applicants.”

The process of looking for and training applicants has changed to make the career choice to become a minister seem more reachable.

Young people looking to embark upon the path of ministry can now attend an enquiry conference where they will be partnered with and allowed to shadow a minister for three months.

“This allows a wide range of people to try out the life of a minister.” Said Rev. Dr Whyte

Previously it was difficult for young members within the Church community to see themselves becoming ministers.

Especially for those who’s gender and age group differed from their own minister.

It can be hard to imagine full-filling the place of the local minister when the minister is from another generation and of a different gender to the would be applicant.

Rev.Dr Whyte explained that ” Before, they only saw one way, one Church and one minister.”

“The process gets them out of their local set-up and into a wider setting.” He continued

This provides the applicant with the opportunity to envisage them self living the life of a Church of Scotland minister.

Filed Under: Life and Society, News in Brief Tagged With: Ministers, religion, Scotland

Blood donors in demand

November 11, 2009 By vintagewintage Leave a Comment

By Ross Winton

Donations save lives.

The number of regular blood donors in Scotland is beginning to fall dramatically according to The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.

Figures revealed this month showed that there are 30,000 less registered donors giving regularly in Scotland compared to ten years ago.

As is often the case in the build up to Christmas, the number of blood donors suffers a massive decrease as temperatures start to fall and donors begin to develop cold and flue symptoms.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service fear this year more than ever they will suffer a huge loss of donors as a result of the outbreak of swine flu around the country.

A spokesperson for the service said: “It is vital people who are able to donate blood do so, especially in the run up to Christmas and new year.”

“This winter could potentially be bad for us due to the problems with swine flu aswell as common cold and flue sufferers.”

“People have to understand that they are saving lives of people young and old who need blood transfusions.”

Last month, Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibs joined together in a bid to promote the need for blood donors in Scotland.

Hearts vice captain Marius Zaliukas and Hibs skipper Chris Hogg, dedicated their free time to donate blood and raise awareness of the falling numbers.

Anybody who is generally in good health, aged between 17-65 and weighs at least 7 stone 12 lbs can potentially give blood.

New blood donors should ensure they have had a recent seasonal flu or swine flu jab.

Filed Under: Life and Society, Sports Tagged With: blood donations, Christmas, Heart of Midlothian, Hibs, swine flu

Major cash injection to benefit Scottish students

November 11, 2009 By rosscdoyle Leave a Comment

courtesy of Read My Day

By Ross Doyle

The Scottish parliament have announced they will invest £30 million into helping student support.

They will also introduce various other changes to the current student loans system that will see a rise in financial backing to help struggling students through the current financial climate.

SNP cabinet secretary for education Fiona Hyslop announced the plans on front of parliament which will be in place in time for the next academic year beginning in September 2010.

The new plans will potentially help up to 75,000 students, which is two thirds of all students across Scotland, and will help with the current annual rise of student intake of around 5.5%

There will be an increase in the maximum loan rising to £5,852 for the academic year which will apply to every student who qualified for the income assessed loan regardless of age.

There will also be up to £1,000 grant available for independent students.

NUS Scotland have been working closely with the SNP to help improve student support, with the NUS president Liam Burns claiming, “this is great news for students” helping to “get more money into student pockets.”

The amount has been questioned though by some members of parliament for not being sufficient enough to make a significant impact and that more has to be done to help with the problem. The Scottish Liberal Democrats stated, “hardship is the most important problem students face now.”

The possible re-introduction of the graduate endowment fee was also discussed although this was quickly ruled out.

Filed Under: All Politics, News in Brief Tagged With: Education, Liam Burns, Liberal Democrats, NUS, saas, Scotland, SLC, SNP. Fiona Hyslop, students, university

Berliners topple during celebrations

November 11, 2009 By mikeymclintock Leave a Comment

By Michael McLintock

Over 1000 dominoes were lined up and toppled on Monday night in Berlin, marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall .

Thousands of people witnessed the incredible event, which was accompanied with a large fireworks display and lots of alcohol consumption. Many members of the crowd had personal experience of the wall.

The crowd were joined by members of the worlds leader, including Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel, Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy and Hillary Clinton. All of whom gave a speech regarding the wall and its impact in history.

Picture shows dominoes within Berlin. Picture supplied by Ecoworld

Clinton received masses amount of praise, saying “”Our history did not end the night the wall came down, it began anew,”She then added that the parties should not just remember the past and celebrate but also it “should spur us to continue our cooperation and look for new ways that we can meet the challenges that freedom faces now.”

Friedrich Fueller, a Berlin citizen who was a resident of east Berlin during the 28 years the wall stood, emotionally cried, “descriptions of that terrible period cannot be imagined, i would never want anyone to experience the entrapment felt, it goes against any human feeling”

Asked what specifically he was celebrating, Fueller answered, “I celebrate, with many beers, life and freedom”

Over 1000 dominoes were lined up and toppled to mark the fall in communism throughout Europe. Students from around the capitalised country designed each and everyone, drawing images and writing words on the sides of he dominoes of what capitalism means to them.

Barack Obama, unfortunately could not be at the event, he did, however, send a live video speech. He spoke of how Germany, along with the world, is a better place now the wall was torn down. He stated it was the start of the end for communism.

Filed Under: All Politics, Entertainment, Life and Society Tagged With: Angela Merkel, Berlin, Brown, Clinton, Dominoes, East Berlin, The fall of Berlin wall, Toppled, Wall, West Berlin

Voices for G20

November 11, 2009 By m08006325 Leave a Comment

Chants for justice filled the streets of St. Andrews last Sadurday as campaigners met to raise their voices for the G 20. Organizations such as Oxfam, People and the Planet, Impact AIDS, Christian Aid, along with members of the public came to demonstrate for fair, jobs justice and the climate. Members of the protest claimed that “MP’s are unable to listen

Campain for Justice

to the people if the people are not talking” and that “the resounding numbers who have come together prove that people are interested in these affairs and do want change to happen”.

Climate change is the predicted to be the biggest debate topic for the G20. The main reason being that the Kyoto targets have not been met. Less than 5 percent of the funds pledged have been given to developing countries, Developing countries have taken the hardest hit in regards to climate change affecting their economy drastically. A representative from Christian Aid stated “the finance ministers need to express a concern that can be taken to Copenhagen for just solutions on climate change.” The aim for the Finance Ministers is to come to an agreement on how to continue to tackle climate change and how to proceed at the climate summit in Copenhagen in December. these organizations are pushing for a greener world that will be more effective for all and that rich countries will take responsibility for their carbon emissions

The demands in regards to jobs was that the Finance Ministers must come to an agreement to produce government funded green economy based on decent work fair pay for all. They claim it is the Countries responsibility to take action and be an example by creating green energy, financing , transport and construction. The push is not only for the Uk but also for the investment in developing countries.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christian Aid, G 20, Oxfam