Child abuse all over the UK

Summary

Child abuse all over the UK

MPs are investigating child abuse, after an expert warned about it taking place all over the country. England's Deputy Children's Commissioner Sue Berelowitz, states that it is common for girls to be lured in via internet chat rooms to perform sexual acts on groups of boys. They thought they were meeting a friend only to be gang raped by a group of boys. Ms Berelowitz said: "I wish I could say to you that such things are uncommon but I'm afraid they are quite common. Victims are numbered in thousands, not in hundreds anymore.” This is a serious matter across the UK.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18422204

Own opinion

This story makes me feel really sad and a little angry. It is unbelievable that children of the age of 11 are already actively busy with sex, even rape. I think there is something wrong with this group of youngsters that should be investigated. I hope they can find the problem that makes them do this. In the article the internet and pornography is put forward but I do not believe that is the only stimulation. I think the parents should pay more attention to the children and know what they are up to on the internet.

 

Beatle McCartney marries Linda Eastman

Summary

Beatle Paul McCartney marries Linda Eastman

Last bachelor Beatle McCartney has tied the knot with Linda Eastman. A huge crowed had gathered outside the Marylebone Register Office to get a glimpse of the couple. Paul and Linda entered the building via a side door. This was a huge letdown for the fans.

After the ceremony, the couple was rushed into a car to go to the local parish church to get the marriage blessed.

Paul met Linda two years before the wedding when Linda was taking photographs of the Beatles, the successful boy band in the sixties.

The couple is going to America for their honeymoon and to visit relatives.

Own Opinion

I think it is a crazy phenomenon that a couple that wants to get married has to enter the register office via a side door. Although, it does add another dimension to the wedding, seeing all the fans outside, screaming for you. It is something to look back on.

The Beatles had a great impact on the world and on their fans. I think it is wonderful that Paul has found the love of his life in the hordes of girls and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. Fans should be happy as well and accept it.

URL:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/12/newsid_3607000/3607215.stm

 

 

Man Shot by Police hunting David Martin

Summary

1983: Man shot by police hunting David Martin

A man has been shot in his car in a police ambush in West London. It is possible that this is not the man the police was looking for.

The police was hunting escaped prisoner David Martin who was due to face a charge of attempting to murder a police officer.

Eyewitness, secretary Jane Lamprill stated that the man was wounded severely: “I couldn’t even see the color of his hair because of the blood.”

It remains unclear if the man shot was in fact David Martin. Two senior Scotland Yard officers have been appointed to investigate this case.

Own Opinion

I think this is a very serious case. If the police has indeed mistaken the identity and shot an unarmed innocent civilian, there should be some repercussions.  I do hope the police officers were right and it is David Martin otherwise this would be an unforgivable error in judgment by the police.

If it was not David Martin, I hope the police resume the search for him so he can stand trail for his actions and get the appropriate punishment he deserves.

Forty Die in Hither Green Rail Crash

Summary

1967: Forty Die in Hither Green rail crash

A rail crash near the southeast of London has resulted in 40 lethal and over 80 non-lethal casualties. The 19:43 express train was travelling from Hastings to Charing Cross when at 21:16 it crashed. Most of the survivors were brought to Lewisham hospital, which dealt with a similar train crash ten years earlier in 1957.

Eyewitness Shirley Ward, who was unharmed by the crash, told the journalists: “The lights went out before we turned over. Everyone was clutching on to one another. There were some terrible screams."

A spokesman for the British Railways Board stated it was unknown what caused the derailment. He said: "It is wide open what could have happened.”

Own Opinion

I think it is a terrible thing to happen for all the people involved especially since the cause of the crash is unknown at that point. Must be really frustrating for investigators and the British Railway Board.

It surprises me that a similar crash has happened only ten years before only a few miles from this crash. What happened then and didn’t they learn anything from it?

I think the British Railways Board should investigate this crash thoroughly, learn from it, make necessary changes to the railway track and prepare a good statement for the survivors to explain what has caused the train to derail.

URL:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/5/newsid_3135000/3135762.stm

Seven Manchester United players killed in plane crash

Summary

Feb. 6.
The Manchester United squad left for Belgrade last Monday and flew with British European Airways (BEA) plane called Lord Burghley. On the way home from Belgrade, the plane had to refuel in Munich. When it wanted to resume the journey home, there were problems at the take off. After two failed attempts, the third time the plane overshot the runway and crashed into a house. 

The Queen of England has expressed that she is “deeply shocked” and has sent her condolences to the Lord Mayor of Manchester and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Own opinion

I think this is not only a nightmare for the players but also for the pilots, families of the killed and the football club Manchester United. Over half of the basic 11 got killed which meant a heavy loss for the football club.

I chose this article because it is an event that happened in the past and has a more special twist to it because of the football club and everyone involved. It shocked the football world not only in England, but in the rest of Europe as well.

Though, I remain dumbstruck that even after two failed attempts, the pilots decided to try another time. What do you think?

URL

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/6/newsid_2535000/2535961.stm 

University where 20% of students are Muslim considers alcohol-free zones

Summary

A London university considers initiating an alcohol-free zone because its students find drinking unethical. The main reason for the alcohol-free zone is that 20% of its university students are Muslim.

Professor Malcolm Gillies, vice-chancellor o London Metropolitan Universityf, said the selling of alcohol was an issue of "cultural sensitivity" at his institution where a fifth of students are Muslim. "We therefore need to rethink how we cater for that 21st-century balance. (..)”

According to Alaa Alsmarrai, the vice-president of student affairs for the Federation of Student Islamic societies, alcohol is a barrier to many Muslim students participating in after school activities.

Own opinion

I think the alcohol-free zones are a great initiative. It makes studying at the University more appealing and accessible to students from any background, in this article the Muslims. 

I do hope that if the University applies the alcohol-free zones, it does not affect its student’s college experience. In a way the initiative encourages students to drink less but simultaneously asks them to adapt to a new 21^st-century balance, which could lead to complaints from fraternities about their new boundaries. 

I think the alcohol-free zone is a good initiative and possible if it is organized and introduced correctly. 

URL

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/apr/12/university-alcohol-free-zones-muslim-students

Gang members jailed for shooting of five-year-old girl

Summary

Three gang members of south London gang GAS, Nathaniel Grant, Anthony McCalla and Kazeem Kolawole, have been jailed for a total of 45 years for shooting and paralyzing a five-year old girl.

The three gang members were chasing down one of their enemies down the street when they ran into the five-year-old Thusha Kamaleswaran. The bullet hit the spine of Thusha, paralyzing her just below the chest, which is a permanent condition.

Judge Martin Stephens said the threesome were certain to kill the night Thusha was shot and added that it was “an exceptional case of the utmost gravity.”

Own Opinion

I can’t understand how a human being could do something like this. Shooting a five-year-old girl and paralyzing her disgusts me. Her permanent condition will remind her every day what happened, even after 45 years. I am glad the police caught the three who are responsible for this and that the court judges sentenced them to a total of 45 years in jail.  The article doesn’t say, but I hope the gang members were confronted with what they did to Thusha and that it makes them rethink their  “gang-lives”.

URL 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/19/gang-members-shooting-thusha-kamaleswaran