More compensation in Manchester child abuse case

It is confirmed by the Manchester City Council that 163 people will receive compensation because they are sexually or physically abused by a children’s home. These 163 victims were abused at three children’s homes, which were all part of the council's social services department, and in the period between 1950 and 1990. They are not the first victims in Manchester because there are another 168 people who were abused as well, but they already received their compensation. The victims must wait and need to be patient because it could take up to a year before they know the amount of compensation.

101 words

My reaction / opinion:
My opinion is that these 163 victims should get a huge amount of compensation. Although the huge amount of compensation does not take away the painful memories, I think that the victims deserve it. I also think that it is a shame that the victims maybe have to wait a year to hear their compensation. It is possible that there are even more victims of child abuse in Manchester, I hope that they all have the courage to go to the police and tell their story. As a future teacher, I would never sexually or physically abuse one of my students.

102 words

Link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/manchester/10272299.stm

Somerset businessman jailed over child porn offences

The 49 year old Martyn Helliwell from Over Stratton in Somerset was found guilty of making and distributing indecent pictures of children. According to prosecutor Adam Vaitilingham Martyn Helliwel had in November 2007 around 1.000 indecent pictures of children on his computer. Helliwell did not deny this, but said that ‘other opportunities’ put him in this situation. Possessing child porn was not the only charge, he was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Helliwell needed to appear in front of the Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday and was sentenced for four and a half years in prison.

100 words

My reaction / opinion:
I was a bit angry when I read this article and asked myself the question; how could somebody do this?. My opinion is that Martyn Helliwell is mentally ill and I do not have any respect for this man. I think that someone with around 1.000 indecent pictures of children should be in prison for the rest of his life instead of four and a half years. Helliwell said that other opportunities’ put him in this situation, but I am wondering which kind of opportunities he means. I would never make, distribute or give indecent pictures of children to anyone.

99 words

Link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/england/somerset/10271742.stm

Parents demonstrate outside school to demand harsher punishments after risque photo of headteacher causes chaos

The pupils of the Whitecross School in Lydney, Gloustershire, have a lack of discipline according to the parents. Already four parents have withdrawn their children from the comprehensive school because of several incidents. The problems started in June, when pupils got hold of some controversial pictures of headmaster Sue Brearley. These pictures were only the beginning of the disciplinary problems and the parents decided to demonstrate in front of the school. There was a meeting with governors during the demonstration, so the parents hope to be heard and discipline to return.

92 words

My reaction / opinion:
Although I first needed to laugh when I read this article, I think there is a serious problem for this school and the parents. I have my doubts about the ability of the teachers and, therefore, one of my questions for this school would be; How could it be that you need a fire alarm to control the classes?. I think the Withecross School needs to act quickly before all the pupils have a lack of discipline. As a future teacher, I would not want to work at this school because I am a person of structure and rules.

99 words

Link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1282170/Parents-demonstrate-outside-school-demand-harsher-punishments-unruly-pupils.html

Hung over at work? You're far from alone

Alcohol charity Drinkaware has done research concerning the influence of alcohol on the work performance of people. One of the results was very interesting; more than 520,000 employees in the UK turn up at their work with a hangover each day. Many of these employees suffer from a headache and / or nausea during the day and some of them go home sick. Chief executive of Drinkaware Chris Sorek thinks that this number will increase in the months June and July because of the World Cup, which lasts until July 11th. His explanation is that the World Cup brings the nation together in pubs, with the consequence of drunk people.

110 words

My reaction / opinion:
I thought that it was a funny article to summarize, but it also worried me a bit. Although I drink some beers at weekends, I do not drink during weekdays. I find it important to be fit when I am at school or work. I will, probably, drink more during the World Cup because I am going to watch the matches in a pub with my friends. I think that the World Cup will certainly contribute to the alcohol consumption of British people, which will, of course, have a negative influence on their work performance.

95 words

Link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/26/hangover-hung-over-work-drinkaware

James Bond star Daniel Craig buys $1.9m penthouse apartment fit for 007

The 42 year old Daniel Craig, also known as the James Bond actor, has bought a penthouse in the exclusive neighbourhood of Tribeca, New York. After the purchase of a four million pound apartment in London, he decided to buy another apartment. It will cost around 1.9 million dollar, but he will get many luxurious things for it in return, such as three terraces. An advantage for Daniel Craig is that he already knows some of his future neighbours, such as Justin Timberlake and Maria Carey. The deal should be completed by next week.

94 words

My reaction / opinion:
I saw the pictures of this penthouse and I think it is beautiful and stylish, but I would not want to live in it. Personally, this penthouse is too luxurious and a bit over the top for me. After he bought a four million pound apartment in London, he could have given this 1.9 million dollar, or at least a part of it, to a charity instead of buying another apartment. Although I think that Daniel Craig is a good British actor, I do not think that somebody should earn so much money. Actors have a difficult and hard job, but so has a garbage collector.

106 words

Link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1282119/James-Bond-star-Daniel-Craig-buys-1-9m-penthouse-apartment-fit-007.html

The £18,000 council job you can't apply for if you are white

The council of Bristol City has two interesting ₤18,000-a-year jobs for graduates in order to recruit more minority employees. This vacancy seems to be a beautiful chance for graduates, especially in this difficult economic situation, but there is one problem. You need to be from an ethnic minority in order to be considered for this job, which obviously lead to some criticisms from white graduates. A jobseeker, who wants to stay anonymous, saw the advertisement posts and described this council as ‘totally racist’. The council responded, through spokesman James Easey, by saying that it is allowed to advertise posts like these under the race relations legislation.

106 words

My reaction / opinion:
Although I think it is good for a council to have several employees from various ethnic backgrounds, I do not think that they should do this. My opinion is that an organization, especially a council, cannot tell someone that he or she cannot apply to a job because he or she is white. At the moment it is difficult to find a job due to the economic crisis, so most jobseekers have a difficult time. Especially during this economic situation it is important that jobseekers should have equal chances when they apply to a job.

96 words

Link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1283291/The-18-000-council-job-apply-white.html

Andy Murray set for early French Open test

British tennis player Andy Murray faces a difficult start at the Roland Garros tournament, he will play against the Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Former top 10 player Gasquet won his last 10 matches and won the ATP tournament of Nice, after beating the world number nine Fernando Verdasco in the final. These results will worry Murray because he has been struggling with his form and did not win any titles this year. Although Murray did not win a title this year, he is still the world number four and, therefore, favourite against Gasquet. If Murray wins this match on Monday, he will have to face another giant; Juan Ignacio Chela.

110 words.

My own opinion / reaction:
I found this a very interesting article because I play tennis myself and I am a fan of Andy Murray. He is a good example for me because he plays attractive tennis and has really good volley’s, which is something I do not have. Personally, I do not think he will win from Gasquet. Murray has not got the form, at the moment, to win big matches and Gasquet has the Parisian crowd behind him, so it is going to be very, very difficult. I hope Murray wins and I am certainly going to watch this match on television.

99 words

Link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8699581.stm