3 p.m. Bulletin
March 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
UK officials reiterate that Gaddafi is not a target
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin 15.24 UK officials have reiterated that Gaddafi is under no circumstances a target. 14.14 David Cameron has announced that “his government and the attorney general are satisfied that the resolution gives a responsibility to respond to Gaddafi and to use all measures to enforce the no fly zone.” This may lead to [...]
Last days before dissolution
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Gráinne Byrne As we approach the last official day for Holyrood MSPs before Parliamentary recess, opposing parties are marking their line in the sand ahead of tomorrow’s final questions session. This final session, before dissolution, sets the tone for a battle between the parties leading to the election on 5 May 2011. In an [...]
Putin offers a more in-depth quote on UN Resolution
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin 14.43 Vladimir Putin has gone into more depth on his earlier comment, in which he likened the resolution to “medieval calls for crusades.” He has since gone on to elaborate, saying that: “The resolution is defective and flawed. It allows everything. It resembles mediaeval calls for crusades.” 14.14 David Cameron has announced [...]
David Cameron addresses House on Libya situation
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin 14.14 David Cameron has announced that “his government and the attorney general are satisfied that the resolution gives a responsibility to respond to Gaddafi and to use all measures to enforce the no fly zone.” This may lead to a deployment of ground troops. The UN resolution effectively freezes the assets of [...]
The Libya crisis: a fresh perspective
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
UK backtrack on comments made by defence secretary
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin 14.10 UN officials reiterate the importance of coalition forces being in complete agreement on strategy for dealing with the Libya situation. 13.20 Cuban and Venezuelan officials have come out against the coalition’s strikes on Libya, citing the risk of civilian casualties as the reason for their opposition of the operation. 12.27 UK [...]
Let it snow: ski resorts enjoy best weekend of the season
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Gráinne Byrne Record numbers of Scottish snow-sports fans were treated to access-all-areas passes when almost every run in the country’s ski centres opened up for the best weekend of the season. Despite other key sporting events taking place, Scotland’s five resorts enjoyed fantastic conditions and huge visitor numbers on Saturday and Sunday. Over 13,000 [...]
Libyan conflict continues
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin 12.27 UK officials scramble to retract comments made by defence secretary Liam Fox stating that Gaddafi is a legitimate target. Speaking on the BBC, chief of the defence staff, General Sir David Richards, said: “Absolutely not. It is not allowed under the UN resolution and it is not something I want to [...]
New round of air strikes against Libya
March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin 10.27 Reuters report that forces loyal to Gaddafi are taking civilians from local towns into Misrata and using them as human shields. 10.15 Confusion arises as Sky News reports that Gaddafi is a legitimate target for UK military, while coalition forces have maintained that they are not targetting the dictator. 10.04 Unconfirmed [...]
Census 2011 process begins
March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
by Gráinne Byrne Scotland’s biggest population survey will drop through the letterboxes of over 2.5 million addresses from today. The once a decade head-count will inform Government and policymakers about how to position vital services such as healthcare, housing and education. The Registrar General for Scotland, Duncan Macniven, who is charged with organising the census [...]
Single police force consultation slammed by police chiefs
March 7, 2011 By 1 Comment
by Gráinne Byrne Senior police officers have hit out at the Scottish Government over its consultation on streamlining the police system in Scotland. In a letter to Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, Kevin Smith, vice-president of Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), accuses the Government of misleading the public, saying ‘the consultation process would [...]
Demonstration for inspiration
February 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Blog by Kirsty Tobin. Audio by Tina Charon When President Mubarak stepped down on Friday, everyone knew that this would mean big changes for Egypt. What people didn’t necessarily expect was the knock-on effect this victory for democracy would have. The Egyptians are now in the process of nation-building, with calls coming for the country’s [...]
Pope clarifies position on condom usage
November 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin The Vatican has clarified comments regarding condom usage in the fight against AIDS. Controversy and confusion arose after the pope made comments which were subject to varying translations from the original German. The English translation referred to condoms being a responsible choice for male prostitutes, while the Italian translation used language which implied [...]
Students march over fears of ‘Demo-lition’ of Education
November 10, 2010 By 1 Comment
by Kirsty Tobin Over 24,000 students are expected to take to the streets of London today in protest at increased fees and proposed education cuts. The protest, Demo-lition, is taking place in order to highlight students’ opposition to the raising of undergraduate tuition fees from £3,290 per year to a maximum of £9,000, as well as third-level [...]
Students clash with Gardaí over fees protest
November 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin Irish students have been involved today, Wednesday, in clashes with Gardaí as protests in the nation’s capital took a less than peaceful turn. An estimated 40,000 students took to the streets of Dublin to protest the raising of registration fees. The students marched, in a protest organised by the Union of Students [...]
Obama loses the House
November 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin Democrats have lost control of Congress following yesterday’s midterm elections in the United States. With the G.O.P. claiming 239 seats, and the Democrats winning only 183, results are reflecting the approval ratings Obama has experienced in recent months. As Gallup places presidential approval ratings at a lowly 44%, the country begins to [...]
It wasn’t supposed to be like this
October 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin It wasn’t supposed to be like this. We were sold the dream of graduating into a thriving economy. We were sold the dream of fine houses, and cars, and comfort. We were sold a social life and an ideal. We were sold the equivalent of the picket fence, the smiling children (one [...]
Edinburgh Restaurateurs Come To Pakistan’s Aid
October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin A number of restaurants and takeaways across Edinburgh have this past week taken part in a charitable event raising money for Pakistan Flood Relief. The event is the brainchild of the Bangladesh Caterers Association of Scotland. Three restaurants and four takeaways throughout the city pledged to donate fifty percent of profits from one [...]
Violent Teen’s Bail Lifted for Family Holiday
October 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
by Kirsty Tobin Bail conditions and curfew imposed on John Harrison (17) were yesterday lifted by Perthshire sheriff George Way so that the violent teen could depart for a family holiday. Sheriff Way listened to argument from Solicitor Mike Tavendale relating to a lifting of bail curfew and a postponement of sentencing. Harrison’s sentencing, on three separate charges, had [...]
