World News Update - 6th March 2013

- Dow Jones hits new record traders in New York saw share levels hit a new high not seen since the Global Financial Crisis.

- Army bases in Germany will start to close with new accommodation being set up for thousands of troops.

- The claims on PPI have been unprecedented according to the ombudsman with up to 2000 claims coming in each day because of the miss-selling on a massive scale of payments protection plans mainly conducted by banks and building societies.

Israel Goes to Polls - 22nd January 2013

- Benjamin Netanyahu is to seek re-election in the general election with predictions that he will be voted back in be it with a reduced majority.

- Barack Obama speech in his Washington DC inaugurating speech pleas for political unity on subject such as gay rights, climate change, and immigration reform and told his fellow Americans to seize the moment.

- The MOD are planning further cuts in the army with an expected third round of job losses up to 5000 jobs could go.

- The UK are helping France with its fight against Islamist rebels in Mali.

- Prince Harry returns from his 5 month deployment in Afghanistan where he has been on active duty.

- Lindsay Sandiford has received the death sentence in Indonesia for drug trafficking.

News 14th Jan 2013

Christine Lagard, Head of the IMF, has indicated that the eurozone should see growth in 2013.  Borrowing rates for key eurozone countries such as Italy and Spain have also been falling, reflecting broader optimism.

 

France's involvement in the campaign against Islamist rebels in Mali, which started on Friday, will last "a matter of weeks", according the French Foreign Minister. 

 

The International Rescue Committee has warned that the Middle East faces a "staggering" humanitarian crisis as a result of the Syrina conflict.  The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed, with a further 600,000 leaving the country since March 2011.

 

Argo won best film drama at the Golden Globes, with the film's director, Ben Affleck named best director.

World News Update - 10th January 2013

- In the UK, following a three month consultation process, the Office for National Statistics has decided not to make any changes to the way the retail prices index is calculated. This is a surprise, as changes were widely expected.

- Research by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers has concluded that up to 50% of the four billion tonnes of food produced worldwide each year ends up being thrown away. The study also concluded that 550 billion cubic metres of water is used to grow crops that are never eaten.

- In China, better than expected December import and export data indicates the economy may be rebounding, alleviating earlier concerns caused by growth falling to a three-year low. Exports were 14% higher than in December 2012, whilst imports rose by 6%. These figures point to an increase in demand both inside China and worldwide.

- Following a visit to North Korea, Google's Chairman, Eric Schmidt, has urged the country to allow its citizens to use the internet

Trouble Brewing Between India and Pakistan - 9th January 2013

- Trouble is brewing between India and Pakistan after a cross-border attack and where 2 Indian soldiers were killed in disputed territory of Kashmir.

- The President of Venezuela has had approval from the National Assembly to delay his inauguration which was scheduled to happen on Thursday because he has just undergone surgery for Cancer and has had problems with a lung infection.

- Women have criticised the BBC saying that if you are a certain age they are unlikely to use you as a presenter with news readers such as Alice Arnold suggesting that the BBC are more interested in the shape of your legs than your intelligence.

- Belfast City will be flying the Union Flag to mark the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday. This of course is amidst the anger after an agreement not to raise the flag everyday that has caused riots.

- There has been a sharp rise of sex offenders being sent to jail which has caused overcrowding and a need for extra space. Calls on the Justice Minister to investigate the problem urgently.

- The recent cooling of weather in Australia has helped with the fired that have devastated vast areas of the country

Obama Meets With Congress Leaders - 28th December 2012

- Obama meets with congress leaders at the White House for emergency talks to avoid the fiscal cliff.

- After doctors in India gave a 23 year old gang rape victim three operations to save her life she was moved to Mount Elizabeth's Hospital in Singapore, where surgeons and doctors are trying to help her with significant brain injuries and infection in her lungs and abdomen. Six men have been arrested concerning the incident and two police officers suspended.

- The UK introduces a new witness protection scheme to replace the current system said the ministry of justice.

- According to the president of the girls school association girls are still seen as home makers and being brought up to believe that raising children is more important than their own careers.

"Plebgate" - 21st December 2012

Another man has been arrested in connection with the "plebgate" drama clearly this problem has to be cleared up and Andrew Mitchell should have his name cleared and suitably compensated if there has been a wrong doing but what a waste of news time and public money that's already been spend and will be spent.

Police and politicians need to get their acts together and grow up, both have been called a lot worse that "plebs".

Simply say sorry to each other and move on and save the hard pressed tax payer a lot of money!

Farmers Still Fighting in Kenya - 21st December 2012

An estimated 30 people have dies in a fresh out break of violence between different farming committees in Kenyan in the Tana River district.

Cameron Visits Afghanistan - 21st December 2012

David Cameron visited British trooper in Afghanistan to announce the withdrawal of some British troops with a estimated half of the current soldiers serving in Afghanistan being brought home.

The Prime Minister praised the troops and said that their efforts have been a success but that a "high price" had been paid.

Banks Should be Strictly Controlled - 21st December 2012

Tougher banking reforms are needed through out the world but also in the UK, after week after week of banks showing their total disregard for treating customers fairly or putting in place enough security to protect investors money. Criminal prosecutions should be brought in against director in control of banks and financial institutions if they cannot keep their houses in order.

Military Force to be Used in Mali - 21st December 2012

The UN security council has voted unanimously on a US lead force to oust Islamists rebels from Northern Mali.

The rebel forces are said to have links with Al-Qaeda and are imposing harsh forms of Islamic law.

MP's Criticise The BBC - 20th December 2012

- MP's have criticised the BBC pay off to George Entwistle who resigned after the Jimmy Saville sex abuse scandal became public.

- MP's in a group committee meeting have instructed Ofgem to stop energy firms ripping clients off by offering cheap deals to new clients and racking up charges for existing ones.

- The South Korean President - Elect Park Genn-Hye has spoken about the "grave" challenge they face about North Korea's recent rocket testing and has called for a trust based dialogue.

- Alistair Stewart has jailed for 5 years for stealing £600,000 of Nina Siegenthaler savings pretending to invest it.

- President Barack Obama of the USA said that "concrete proposals" with words leading to actions were needed for gun control after another recent mass murder in America with 26 children and teachers being killed at Sandy Hook School in New Town.

Miscarriage Guidelines - 12th December 2012

The National Institute of Health Clinical Excellence has published new guidelines on how to handle women who miscarry or have ectopic pregnancies. As currently hospitals with care units seem to be insensitive to women who have suffered the loss of their babies during their pregnancies.

Another Rocket Launched by North Korea - 12th December 2012

- Another rocket has been launched by North Korea this time the launched has deemed to be successful. The official line from North Korea was that the rocket was that the rocket was used to put a satellite up, however the international community have condemned the launch saying they suspect it was a test for ballistic long range missiles.

- With trouble mounting in Syria the US has officially recognised the Syrian opposition coalition and President Barack Obama said "it seems them as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people".

-The report on the murder of Pat Finucane in 1989 a Belfast solicitor is said to be a sham, white wash and not the truth according to Geraldine Finucane the widow of Mr Finucane. The report by Sir Desmond De Silva, did confirm that agents of the state were involved in Pat Finucanes killing and should have been prevented. Mrs Finucane said that the government "had engineered a suppression of the truth".

- Unemployment in the UK has fallen by around 80,000 according to the ONS. The Office for National Statistics and that total pay was up by 1.8% compared to last year at the same time.

News Update - 11th December 2012

- HSBC has had to pay a USA money laundering penalties of £1.2billion the settlement is said to be the largest any bank had had to pay. The bank admitted to having poor money laundering controls with the chief executive Stuart Gulliver accepting responsibility for HSBC mistakes. The US senate said the UK bank had been serving drug barons and rogue nations. Directors of the the bank could have faces claims of their Directors and Officers Insurance policy.

- The recent proposed bill to allow police and intelligent services the power to monitor all internet use, is being opposed by all parties and some of their MP's. Nick Clegg said he will block the plans. The joint committee said that the draft bill games "insufficient attention to the duty to the respect the right of privacy."

- Richard Branson the virgin Boss gives BA Willie Walsh a million pound bet that his brand Virgin Atlantic will still be around in five years. After recent reports that Branson may sell some of his 51% stake.

- Petrol bombs and brick still raining down in Belfast and a police women narrowly escaped injury when a masked gang threw a petrol bomb inside an unmarked police car and this is all over whether a flag could fly over the city hall almost beyond belief, that this is worth rioting over.

News -10th Dec

1)  Egypt still in crises as Morsi orders the army to keep order and security on the lead up to the referendum on the constitution.  The main problem with the order from Morsi is that Egypt may fall back to military rule.

2)  The first signs that North Korean people a very very slowing opening up to the outside world with use of internet.  It is still very controlled and in the only cyber cafe in the countries capital Pyongyang.  Computers are pre-installed with North Korea's own version of 'windows' with a program called RedStar and access to the internet is restricted to the country's elites.

3)  The MOD has declared that it will be commissioning a new submarine worth around 1.2 billion.  The submarine 'HMS Audacious' will be securing 3000 jobs at the Barrow-in-Furness plant in Cumbria.

4)  The two Australian Radio Hosts Mel Greig and Michael Christain who played a hoax phone call to the hospital where the 'Duchess Of Cambridge' was staying were interviewed on Today Tonight stating they were shattered and gutted to hear of Mrs Saldanha's death, who's said to have taken her own life because of the hoax phone call.c

Chancellor Announces It will be A Hard Road to Recovery - 6th December 2012

1) The chancellor announces to millions of families that they will be looking at a hard road to recovery upto 2018 with benefits and higher taxes all being marked that will hit most people. Upto 400,000 maybe dragged into the higher tax rates.

George Osbourne also put public sector workers on notice that they would face Job Issues.

2) Snow falls in several areas of the UK Bedfordshire, Essex and Buckinghamshire all had snow which caused road and train delays

3) Stuart Hall the TV & Radio commentator has been charged with child sex offences which the crown prosecution services confirmed, the 82 year old was well known for his hosting of "its a knock out"

4) The famous musician Dave Brubech died of heart failure yesterday at the age of 92, one of the most famous performances he was known for was Take five

5) The 64 million lottery ticket remained unclaimed and now the money will go to good causes.

6) Heavy fighting still rages in Syria as Assad hold on power seems to be slipping away with rebels, reporting to be close to capturing Damascus, it has been suggested that president Assad may seek to leave the country and seek Asylum abroad perhaps in Iran or Venezuela.

News Update - 3rd December 2012

- A new treaty regarding the internet is being discussed in Dubai attended by 193 countries. Google states that such events threatened the "open internet" and the EU said that the current system works well.

- A tunnel in Japan collapsed killing 9 people after concrete panels fell in and started a fire in the Sasago tunnel. The Government have ordered immediate inspection of all road tunnels across the country.

- The HMRC urged to get tougher with global companies operating in the UK but paying little or no tax to the government.

- Violent crimes are to get tougher prison sentences when the new criminal offences come into force.

- The referendum called for by Morsi the President of Egypt will not be over seen by Egyptian judges who have refused to oversee a vote on the countries new draft constellation that is due to be held in the next two weeks.

- Virgin Airlines are in talks with Singapore Airlines and are interested in obtaining 49% of it.

- According to a report by Dr Foster hospitals in England are full to bursting creating a potentially dangerous environment for patients.

World News Update - 29th November 2012

- There has been protest in Burma about the expansion of a copper mine near Monywa where police have broken up the protestors with apparently many people insured and the local people saying that their camp have been set on fire and there are forced evictions to allow the mine to expand.

- UK borders are being compromised because even after a 'tip off' to the borders agency thousands of overseas students could have continued to stay illegally in the UK.

- There has been concern about the apparent level of salt in cheese.

- The USA has banned BP from US contracts.

- Danny Nightingale the SAS soldier given a prison sentence for possessing a hand gun is to appeal.

- Libdems are looking at whether they should support the government over police powers to monitor email and internet use.

World News Update - 27th November 2012

- There has been an agreed deal on Greece's latest bail out with the IMF. The prime minister of Greece Antonis Samaras was happy with the deal saying that "a new day begins for all Greek's".

- A murder inquiry lead by French, Swiss and Russian expert has began in respect of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat who died in Paris 2004. It has been a long suspicion that Arafat was poisoned, and therefore the experts have been given samples of his body after the remain were examined and before the re-sealing of his tomb.

- Floods continue across the UK with worse effected areas such as North Wales and North of England, some residents have been advised to leave their homes. Serious worries regarding how property owners will be able to insure their homes in the future will be a big concern to the government and insurance companies who already face massive claims for both residential of commercial properties.

- Some hope for the UK economic as figures confirm 1% growth between July and September.

- The UK education system is apparently ranked the sixth best in the world following countries such as Finland, South Korea. Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.