For a round-up of today’s latest news watch the Edinburgh Napier News bulletin.
Stories covered include:
By Edoardo Zandona’
UPDATE (15:06) Libyan Youth Movement reports via Twitter: “very large explosions heard and continuing west of Tripoli”. You can follow their tweets here.
UPDATE (14:57) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the international community had “no other choice” but to take action after the killing of civilians in Libya. She stated: “This resolution is an important step, but the US and its partners will continue to explore other ways of ending the Libyan crisis”.
UPDATE (14:50) Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Zapatero declared that “the international community will not be deceived by the Libyan regime”, and it will “verify its enforcement of the resolution”. Italian Foreign minister Franco Frattini announced that Italy is going to shut down its embassy in Libya.
UPDATE (14:42) BBC’s diplomatic correspondant James Robbins said “the ceasefire is a classic tactic from Colonel Gaddafi and it will not stop military preparations”.
UPDATE (14:12) Despite the announced ceasefire, bombardments and crashes between rebels and loyalist troops continue in the city of Misrata. Arabic network Al-Arabiya said 25 people have been killed in the bombardments. CNN broadcasted an interview of a witness stating: “There isn’t any ceasefire in Libya, they are bombing us in this very second. Misrata is on fire”.
UPDATE (14:02) NATO General Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen declared: “NATO is completing its plan in order to be ready to take appropriate action in support of the U.N. Security Council’s resolution”. The organization decided to speed up planning for military action in Libya, but whether to intervene in the conflict has not been decided yet.
UPDATE (13:40) First replies to Libya’s declaration of ceasefire from Western countries’ leaders. The French government declared that “the threat in Libya is unchanged”. David Cameron told the BBC that “Gaddafi will be judged by his deeds, not by his words”.
Following the U.N. resolution imposing Libya a no-fly zone, the country declared a ceasefire to assure the protection of civilian population. Libya’s Foreign minister Mousa Koussa declared journalists in Tripoli that the country “agrees with the resolution” and will therefore suspend the planned offensive on the rebels in Benghazi. The minister explained: “Libya is part of the United Nations and must accept the Security Council’s resolution”. He added that Libya will protect the foreigners in the country and their assets. The Libyan government’s announcement has already made the oil price drop of 3 dollars per barrel.
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi
by Catherine Mumford
Photo by Roger Kirby
An NHS study out today reveals alarming figures about alcohol consumption in Scotland. Its established pub culture draws people from all over the world, but there are calls from officials that something needs to change.
Be sure to catch the whole story on Edinburgh Napier News TV bulletin at 3p.m.
by Jane Bretin
The telephone is 135 years old this month!
Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish inventor, sought the patent for the first telephonic device in March 1876. Bell is officially recognised as the father of the phone but the American Congress has raised
Credit plenty.r
doubts about the origin of the idea. They credited the contribution of Italian inventor Antonio Meucci to the creation of the device.
It remains unclear who is responsible for its creation but there no doubt as to its practicality. To this day, it remains one of the most widely used communication methods and it has evolved beyond belief. Telephones are now mobile and communication is established directly from the caller to the receiver.
They now perform a whole range of different services such as texting, photography and even using the internet. The phones themselves have become small and light.
Who would have thought that such a revolution in the world of communication could evolve even further? Mr Bell would certainly be proud.
By Michael Mckeand
An injured man as protests turn ugly in Yemen. Photo: Reuters/Khaled Abdullah
Yemeni forces have opened fire on protesters in Sanaa killing at least 30 people and wounding 200. Medical sources and eyewitnesses have described how security forces and unidentified snipers opened fire on the protesters who marched after Muslim prayers.
Security forces initially fired into the air to prevent the anti-government protesters from marching from Samaa University, where the protesters headquarters are found. After this initial gunfire, shooting continued and the death toll mounted.
Tens of thousands of protesters had gathered to oppose the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh calling for him to immediately step down from power.
“The situation is tragic. There are dozens killed and hundreds wounded. We couldn’t send relief,” said Abdul-Qawi al-Shumeiri, secretary-general of the doctor’s syndicate.
Protesters accused plainclothes snipers of firing from rooftops and have said that they have detained 7 of them. “The youth stormed one of the buildings and arrested seven snipers who were firing on the demonstrators,” said activist Mohamed al-Sharaby.
Yemen has been hit by mass demonstrations for weeks as growing pressure mounts on President Saleh to relinquish power now. He has already agreed to step down in 2013, promising a new constitution to grant more powers to parliament. Tens of thousands of protesters though have gathered in other cities across the country, not only Sanaa, calling for his immediate exit.
The United States have condemned the bloodshed, and backed the right for peaceful protest, but insist that only dialogue can end the political crisis.
Read by Adam Smyth
Adam reading the news
Written by Susannah Radford, Adam Smyth and Georgi Bomb.
As Colonel Gaddafi declares a ceasefire, 25 more people are killed in Libya. The National Health Service report the Scots like more than just a tipple and Edinburgh Dungeon puts their bloody stamp on Red Nose Day.
by Orla Ni Sheaghdha
Venture Trust helps young people in difficult situations.
Edinburgh based charity Venture Trust is to benefit from the Prince William and Kate Middleton Wedding Gift Fund. The couple are encouraging guests to donate money to charity in lieu of giving them wedding gifts. Venture Trust is one of 26 organisations which are featured on the list. Chief Executive, Greg Barton is delighted about the news. “It’s a wonderful honour to be recognised by Prince William and Miss Middleton for our work with complicated young people across the UK- we’re immensely grateful for their support.”
The charity was founded in 1982 to provide support for young people in difficult situations, particularly young offenders. Venture Trust run three programmes to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people make positive changes in their lives. Inspiring Young Futures supports youths who are in care or who are young carers themselves. Transitions to Independent Living looks after those who may be homeless or have unstable living situations. The Criminal Justice programme provides alternative options for young offenders.
These intensive personal development programmes take place in wilderness settings in order to provide participants with the opportunity to escape pressures they face in their everyday lives. Taking part in physical activities also seems to have a positive effect on the emotional and social wellbeing of those involved in the programme. The Royal Wedding Gift Fund will help to ensure the continued support of these development programmes for young people in the UK and other global projects which are being run by Venture Trust.
by Jane Bretin
Scotland is inaugurating its first silent film festival in Falkirk today. The Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema is set to last three days, from Friday to Sunday and will feature a number of all time
Credit miss mass
classics as well as less famous movies.
The festival includes the screening of a dozen films to suit all ages and tastes as well as an ongoing exhibition in the Bo’ness library. The exhibition retraces the evolution of cinema in the Falkirk area and highlights the importance of the 7th art to this day. [Read more...]
Adam reads the news
Read by Adam Smyth
Stories by Susannah Radford, Adam Smythe and Georgi Bomb
The stories at 1pm declare Colonel Gaddafi has declared a ceasefire in Libya and Japan comes up with a final resort to tackle the nuclear threat.
A suspicious package caused an evacuation at Edinburgh Airport and Red Nose Day raises millions for Comic Relief.
by Orla Ni Sheaghdha
The terminal at Edinburgh Airport has been reopened. The airport was evacuated when a suspicious package was left in the terminal building, which has since been dealt with by authorities. Edinburgh Napier News spoke exclusively to the airport media office. “The threat’s been stood down. There was a suspect package that’s been made safe and we are now reopen.” There has been no knock-on effect on flights.
Tune in to the radio bulletin for more information.
Suspicious package cleared at Edinburgh Airport. Image: Flickr.com
by Neal Wallace
Red Nose Day
Today is Red Nose Day, with millions across the UK doing something funny for money, from bake sales to fancy dress. Edinburgh Napier News sent reporter Catherine Mumford out to see how the people of Edinburgh are raising Comic Relief funds.
Catch her report on the Edinburgh Napier News, today at 3pm.
by Jane Bretin
The pressure is on for the English rugby team as they are set to play their final game in the 6 Nations Tournament in a bid to win the Grand Slam this Saturday.
The England team, that has not won a Grand Slam in eight years, is expecting tough resistance from the opposing Irish team when they play them in Dublin on Saturday. As Brian O’Driscoll, Ireland’s captain, told the RBS 6 Nations’s official website: “It’s always a huge game for us because of the history between the countries”. He added that they would exploit the opponents’ nerves as the pressure will be palpable for the British team.
by Michael Mckeand
The Grange, Edinburgh where two incidents of mugging have occured over the past week.
Mansionhouse Road in the heart of the Grange, one of Edinburgh’s more middle class areas, was the scene of another mugging this week. It follows a similar incident in which a man of a similar description attacked a pensioner on Findhorn Place a few streets away.
Check out the full story on our Edinburgh Napier News TV News Bulletin at 3pm.
Susannah Radford
By Georgi Bomb, Adam Smyth, Susannah Radford
Read by Susannah Radford
- British Military Forces prepare for Libyan action
-Scotland drinks four more bottles of spirits per year than in the 90′s
-Proposed education cuts in Edinburgh
-Red Nose Day coverage in Edinburgh
-Sport Update
by Blythe Harkins
The Gown, QUB
Some illicit activities include police being pelted with bottles and the 12 culprits were arrested. A South Belfast MLA Jimmy Pratt told the press that the St. Patrick celebration was “shameful.” He went on further to say that “It is time the local universities adopted a zero tolerance approach and expel those identified as being involved in this behaviour.”
Two years ago the student population of Belfast turned a happy go-lucky street celebration into a anti-social riot. Because of this, the authorities and volunteers were on hand for this year’s festivities. However, the students see this as a challenge and when police reached the scene to quiet the chaos, but only more uprising occurred. Twelve people were arrested after police were pelted with bottles as dozens of house parties spilled on to the street.
David Cameron making his speech in the British parliament
By Edoardo Zandona’
The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution last night endorsing military forces to intervene against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. The decision was made in an emergency meeting, after Gaddafi warned rebels in Benghazi that loyalist forces will conduct an attack to the city with “no mercy and no pity”. [Read more...]
Ruth Coy, Karen Knight and Helen Hooke took part in some comic fundraising
Red Nose Day fundraising has already started in Edinburgh. AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical company based in Edinburgh, brought some comic relief to the office yesterday, Thursday with their own Red Nose Day. They all took in part in some fundraising from baking cakes, dress down for the day and even dressing in red and much more.To find out more about what they did and how much they raised……….
Tune into Susannah Radford at 12.15 pm on Edinburgh Napier News Radio.
by Jane Bretin and Adam Smyth
Today’s report from NHS health Scotland has revealed that Scottish alcohol consumption is at its highest level in 30 years.
Credit mhaithaca
The report states that alcohol consumption per person has risen by 1.2 liters of pure alcohol a year compared to 1994. It also showed that shop sales have increased significantly with spirits accounting for the largest part of the sales.
As the study showed, Scots are the biggest drinkers in the United Kingdom, well ahead of England and Wales. This raises the question, once again of minimum pricing per unit of alcohol and issue of what pushes the Scottish people to drink. Jennifer Curran, head of policy for Alcohol Focus Scotland told Edinburgh Napier news : “alcohol is now more affordable, more available and is more heavily marketed than at any time over the last 30 years.
Red Nose 2011
by Celeste Carrigan
Today marks the official Red Nose Day. The BBC tonight sees a jam packed TV show of comic shenanigans.
Many have already started their fundraising from shaving heads to fun runs. Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles held the longest radio marathon yesterday for 51.5-hours. The show has already got the money rolling in for the Comic Relief fund, with listeners donating over £2 million.
Explosions in the Fukushima nuclear plant (Picture by daveeza)
By Edoardo Zandona’
The last resort to stem the radiation leakage in Fukushima damaged nuclear plant may be to bury it in sand and concrete, Japanese engineers suggest. This method was similar to the final solution used in Chernobyl to contain the catastrophe, and it is now being considered as the ultimate resource to deal with the nuclear crisis in Japan. This suggestion comes immediately after the threat level for the accident has been raised from 4 to 5 on a 1-7 scale. [Read more...]
by Blythe Harkins
Prince William attended a service rally for the Christchurch victims on Friday. Thousands of people gathered in North Hagley Park for a memorial service for the estimated 182 people that were lost in the 6.3-magnitude quake in New Zealand, on February 22. Two minutes of silence were observed at the time that the quake hit. Prince William spoke a few words of hope to the people. “My grandmother once said grief is the price you pay for love.” He went on further to say that the Cantabrians “are an inspiration to all people. I count myself enormously privileged to be here to tell you that.” His closing words were telling the people in Christchurch to be strong.
The New Zealand Herald was very excited to cover the Prince’s visit. Check out their video below:
