(Week 7) A paedophile faces years in jail after yesterday admitting he raped a toddler at a nursery where he worked.

Paul Wilson, age 20 years old, conned his way into a care assistant's role, in Birmingham, after telling bosses he was "passionate" about working with kids. But he was already a predatory pervert who over a three-year-period had groomed 22 girls aged between 12 and 16 on the internet.

Parents at the nursery where Wilson was employed for two years were told there is no evidence he attacked kids other than the two-year-old.

Horrific photos of him orally raping the youngster were found on his PC and phone.

Wilson stood in the dock at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, and admitted 47 charges including two rapes on one child, grooming girls and distributing pornographic pictures on the internet.

For years, Wilson used web aliases and phony photos to befriend unsuspecting teens. He was finally trapped when a 14-year-old girl told her parents.

Oh My God! 22 girls aged between 12 and 16, and a toddler… this man is sick, really sick. A toddler; who in his right mind would want to have sex with such a small and innocent child?! I honestly believe that this man should be tortured. I hope that the UK will enforce the death penalty upon him. I know they don’t have the death penalty anymore, but then they should just make that a new law again. Screw the EU; for these types of monsters, the death penalty should be given again...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3624436/Parents-fury-as-nursery-worker-Paul-Wilson-admits-toddler-rape.html

(Week 7) Malaria on the rise in the UK.

New figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have revealed that the number of malaria infections among UK residents has increased by 30% over the last two years.

The figures, released on the 25^th of April to mark World Malaria Day, show that the number of cases increased from 1,370 in 2008 up to 1,761 in 2010.

The findings have raised concerns about the measures being taken by UK residents travelling abroad to protect themselves from the fatal disease. There are currently five different anti-malaria drugs available in the UK and residents are advised to seek medical advice before travelling.

I’m a bit shocked to read this. I didn’t expect malaria to be such a present disease. I thought only people far away could suffer this. I know that’s very naïve of me, but it’s not a very common disease in Europe; is it? I just think; once going to a country far away, always make sure you bring the proper medications with you. Just to be sure...

http://www.journal-online.co.uk/article/7627-malaria-on-the-rise-in-the-uk

(Week 6) NSPCC says child sex abuse has risen to 64 crimes a day

At least 64 children are sexually abused every day in England and Wales, figures obtained by the NSPCC suggest.

More than 23,000 offences - including rape, incest and gross indecency - were recorded by police in 2009 and 2010, an 8% increase on 2008 and 2009, the charity said.

The figures showed that more than half of the victims were aged between twelve and fifteen, one in four was aged five to eleven, and more than 1,000 were aged four or younger.

Girls were more than six times more likely to be assaulted than boys, with 86% of attacks taking place against females, the figures showed.

Thousands of people come forward every year to report sex crimes against children. But many victims are too young to ask for help. Others are too scared to tell anyone about their suffering until years later.

I think this is very worrying. The fact that more and more (young) children are being abused is something we do need to be concerned about. I think we, as a people and also the government, should act up to this with a hard hand. Children are our future; it is our job as grownups to protect and help them. Sex offenders, child abusers, they should all be tortured to death. Maybe that will scare those sick bastards off.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13542007

(Week 6) A Sad day for the Church of Scotland!

A rev from the church of Scotland, Rev Roddy MacRae, has left the church due to the fact that the Church of Scotland now accepts openly-gay ministers.

He said that the Kirk had treated traditionalist evangelicals such as himself as almost unwanted. "You've got people who don't believe in the virgin birth … and they are acceptable within the Church, but now people like myself, who believe the Word is inspired, are marginalized and perhaps even treated as a disease within the Church. It's a sad day for Scotland!"

In 2009, a temporary ban was imposed on the ordaining of gay ministers following the appointment of the Church of Scotland's first openly gay minister, the Rev Scott Rennie, to Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen.

The ban came as a result of a complaint by the Presbytery of Lochcarron-Skye, of which Mr MacRae is a member.

Yet this time, it wouldn’t help…

I myself am not a Christian, nor do I know much about the church. Yet I do believe that what the church in Scotland is doing now, is just wrong. Homosexuality and religion have never gone hand in hand before; and that’s not only in the Christian faith. The fact that a ‘good’ and pious rev from the Scottish church has to go now, because the church is no longer following the word of G-d; is in my opinion extremely dreadful.

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/A-sad-day-for-Scotland.6774505.jp

(Week 5) English Queen leaves Ireland after historic four-day State visit.

Queen Elizabeth of England has left Cork after a historic four-day State visit which is being heralded as a “resounding success” by officials from both English and Irish governments.

The security surrounding her State visit has so far precluded 85-year-old monarch from meeting the public. Despite the massive security operation surrounding the royal visit, which is to cost in the region of €30 million, officials are already labelling it a “resounding success”.

Up to 10,000 Garda and Defence Forces personnel have been involved in the largest security operation ever mounted by the State.

Only a small number of people held a peaceful rally in protest at the Queen’s visit in Cashel, while she was there. Many more protest were held before she came.

Personally I say: “Get the hell out o Éire ye dictator queen!” I think she had no business visiting Ireland, since she’s responsible for the suffering of many Irish in the past. Plus she’s still oppressing Northern Ireland. On the other hand I must admit she’s a very brave woman. She went to Ireland despite the fact the IRA threatened to take her live. Let’s hope this visit brought the Irish and English just a little bit closer…

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0520/breaking3.html

(Week 5) Schoolgirls rush to aid of seizure victim in Portree.

Police this week praised a trio (Eilidh Baker, Elaine MacDonald and Megan MacLeod) of quick-thinking young Samaritans from Portree, after they rushed to help a woman who took ill in the village centre last Saturday afternoon. The woman begun to suffer a seizure when the three first-year pupils at Portree Highschool came to the rescue.

After alerting the police, the girls sat with the woman while a nearby taxi-driver administered first aid before an ambulance arrived. The girls’ actions earned plaudits from local PC Willie MacGillivray, the first policeman on the scene.

The sick woman was taken to hospital in Portree and was reported to have been recovering at home this week.

Thank God there are still good Samaritans to come to the rescue when necessary. It is nice to know that there are still good people on this planet.

This woman survived thanks to these three lassies; without them she might have died. I think this article shows us that if we can, we should help those in need. Let this be a lesson for all of us.

http://www.whfp.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=654&Itemid=1

(Week 4) Scotland’s independence more likely than ever before! SPEAKERS CORNER

The historic victory of Alex Salmond’s nationalistic party in Scotland makes the break-up of the United Kingdom more likely than ever before.

Not since Bonny Prince Charlie’s Jacobite uprising was defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 has the end of the Union been closer, experts said.

Scotland will hold a referendum on independence from England after First Minister Mr Salmond’s party secured the first outright majority in the 12-year history of the Scottish Parliament.

Especially the Highlanders have voted for the Scottish National Party, but also many Lowlanders voted for them this time. Only the most southern part of Scotland, near the English border, did not vote for the SNP.

This is the greatest news I’ve heard in a long, long time. Scotland’s independence is very likely now. That’s fantastic news. It’s about time Scotland becomes an independent nation. I’m especially glad to read that not only the Highlanders want this, but also the Lowlanders want to be free now. In the past it has always been the Highlanders ‘fighting’ for freedom, and the Lowlanders selling their country to the English. Thank G-d the Lowlanders finally realized that the English are nothing but trouble for Scotland. Alba gu bràth!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1384148/Scottish-election-results-SNP-push-independence-referendum-historic-victory.html

(Week 4) White House WILL release gruesome Bin Laden corpse photo, says CIA boss as reluctant Obama faces claims terror chief is still alive.

The Daily Mail writes about the doubt many people have about whether Osama Bin Laden is dead or not. The U.S. government are now thinking about releasing a gruesome corpse photo of the Warlord.

Many conspiracy theorists do not believe the Warlord is dead yet. They think the U.S. are telling a lie. In the absence of any pictorial evidence that Bin Laden is dead, some have claimed that he was not killed at all.  Even Al Qaeda itself is having serious doubts about Bin Laden’s death.

On Monday an obviously faked photo of his corpse spread round the world, giving conspiracy theorists new material to fuel their speculation.

The U.S. has pictures of Bin Laden’s body – reportedly with a bullet hole above an eye, and another to the heart – and videos of both the raid on his house and his burial at sea.

Last night CIA director Leon Panetta said that ultimately a photograph of Bin Laden’s corpse will be released.

Personally I do not yet believe Osama Bin Laden is dead. I find it hard to believe that the U.S. where able to kill him on their own. Yet if it is true, then praise the Lord. May he be punished by G-d himself, and send straight to Hell.

Let us all hope that he is dead. But let us also prepare to fight a gruesome war against terrorism. Because the death of Osama Bin Laden will not only bring joy to the U.S. but it will also start many retaliations by Al Qaeda and the Taliban. We should be prepared for many attacks on the ‘Western World’.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382828/Osama-Bin-Laden-dead-photo-WILL-released-Obama-faces-claim-terror-chief-alive.html

(Week 3) 'Unique' Scotch whisky to help Japan disaster victims

Seven independent Scottish distilleries are raising money to help the pore Japanese people. They are creating a unique Scotch Whisky and will sell it to the local Scots. Every penny being made by this action will go to Japan. Euan Mitchell said “Not a penny of profit will be taken from this project by any of the parties involved.”

The Whisky is sold out before it has even been bottled. Most of the 2000 bottles have been pre-sold ahead of its planned bottling by mid-May. It is hoped up to £80,000 will be raised from their sale.

Those behind the collaboration, between distillers Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, Mitchell's Glengyle, Kilchoman and Springbank, said the firms had never collaborated in this way before and were never likely to again.

The combined casks will produce about 2,000 bottles with 1,200 available in the UK at a cost of £59 each.

I think it’s very good that the Scots are raising money to help the tsunami victims in Japan. If they really are to gain £80,000 by selling those bottles; it will really be helpful for the Japanese. This is of course not the only way the Scots are raising money, but the fact that these competing distilleries are working together now, is a very good sign. Unity is very important when you wish to help someone. The Sots are really showing brotherhood now.

May we all help the Japanese in any way we can...!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13182077

(Week 3) Buying a house in Scotland 'cheaper than renting'

In Scotland; buying a house is much cheaper than renting one. Research by the Bank of Scotland shows that there is a difference in 59% depending on whether you rent or buy a house. Renting is much more expensive.

The bank said the change was due to a decline in average mortgage rates.

The bank's housing economist, Suren Thiru, described the improvement in the affordability of buying relative to renting as "significant".

The research also found that across the UK, average buying costs were about 14% lower than the cost of renting.

I think it is outrages that it’s cheaper to buy a house than to rent one. It should be the other way around. I know that due to the crisis it’s almost not possible to get your own home, but the fact that you could better buy one than rent one at the moment, is really not the way it should be. On the other hand, people do like to buy their house at one point in their lives; so way not right now. We’ll see what the future will bring us.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-13169278

(Week 2) Irish republican march held in Denny

Not only the Irish themselves want to see the island of Éire to be united. Also many Scots like to see that happen.

An estimated 150 people participated in an Irish republican march in a town called Denny in central Scotland. The event was organized by a group called: Cairda Na hEireann, which means Friends of Ireland.

The march was against racism and sectarianism, and it was pro unification of Ireland.

Despite the fact many Scots participated there were also Scots who were against this march. Due to European pressure the march could not be stopped by the local authority.

Personally I want to see Ireland to be united as well, so I think it is good to march. It shows the Irish they’re not alone. I also understand people don’t want a march in their town, but they don’t have to participate. As long as the march is peacefully, I don’t think the locals should complain about it.

If there were to be an Irish republican march in the Netherlands I would participate as well. Éireann go Brách!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-13105383

(Week 2) UK nuclear weapon programme 'shameful' says cardinal

The Scottish Catholic cardinal has urged the UK government to stop its “shameful” nuclear programme.  

Just outside the Faslane naval base on Gare Loch; Cardinal Keith O’Brien was addressing a rally against nuclear weapons. He said during an Easter Witness for Peace: “In a nuclear war there would be no victors, only victims.”

He has been teaching the Catholic vision on nuclear weapons for many years now; to whoever is willing to listen to him. He thinks if Britain really wants to be courageous they should give up the nuclear programme, so other nations can follow.

Personally I disagree with the cardinal. I do understand his point, and I also agree that fighting with nuclear weapons is weak and pitiful. Yet I do believe Britain should have weapons like those to protect their kingdom and their allies against the countries that do have that kind of weapons; like North-Korea, Russia and Iran. I am not saying that Britain should use those weapons to attack anyone, but they should have those weapons to defend themselves. But that’s just my opinion. 


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13104508

Cànan Nan Gàidheal

Cha b' e sneachda 'san reòthadh bho thuath
Cha b'e crannadh geur fuar bho'n ear
Cha b'e uisge 'san gailleon bho'n iar
Ach an galair a blen bho'n deas
Blàth, duilleach stoc agus freumh
Cànan mo threubh 's mo shluaidh.

Thig thugainn, thig co-rium gu siar
Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nam Féinn
Thig thugainn, thig co-rium gu siar
Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nan Gàidheal

‘S iomadh gille thug greis air a' chuibhl'
‘S an dubh-oidhche thog fonn Gàidhlig a' chridh
‘S iomadh gaisgeach a' bhrosnaich 'sa bhlàir
Gu euchd nuair bu teòtha bha'n strì
O Ghàidheil! O caite ‘n deach d'uaill
‘Nad Chìne 's ‘nad chànan 's do thir?

Thig thugainn, thig co-rium gu siar
Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nam Féinn
Thig thugainn, thig co-rium gu siar
Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nan Gàidheal

Ged theich i le beath' as na glinn
Ged ‘s gann an diugh chluinntear i nas mo
O Dhuthaich MhicAoidh fada tuath
Gu ruig thu Druim-Uachdar nam bo
Gigheadh dhi na h-Eileanan Siar
Bi na claidheamh ‘s na sgiath ‘nad dhòrn.

Thig thugainn, thig co-rium gu siar
Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nam Féinn
Thig thugainn, thig co-rium gu siar
Gus an cluinn sinn ann cànan nan Gàidheal


Amhrán iontach. An-lyrics láidir.

(Week 1) Celtic broadcasting festival opens in Stornoway

A festival to promote the Celtic cultures has opened in Stornoway (on the Western Isles).  This will help people learn more about the Celtic languages and cultures in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. Five pupils from Highland schools participated in an initiative to help young people from the area to make twelve short films. The young people are learning skills such as script writing, filming and producing, all of which will enrich their knowledge on culture and linguistics.

I think it is great that there is now a Celtic broadcasting festival in Stornoway. It is good to hear that people can learn much about the Celts from all over the Islands of Britannia. The Celtic culture is a very lovely one, and their languages are very mystical and beautiful. And not to forget the children; this project is very good for the youth on the Western Isles. They are participating in this and learn a lot from it. I am definitely going to go there some time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13067147

(Week 1) Scottish unemployment rate drops

The unemployment dropped by 7.000 to 219.000 between December and February. Meaning there are now more people with a job in Scotland. The unemployment rate now stands at  8.1%, slightly above the United Kingdom average. These figures are very welcome after a tough winter, and it reminds the government to create perfect conditions for growth of the economy. Both the Scottish and UK governments are doing everything they can to create more jobs for the Scots. The UK government for example are helping to create more private sector jobs in Scotland.

This is extremely good news for Scotland. Many Scots have been unemployed for a very long time now, and so new jobs are very welcome. Yet I do think the fact that the UK needs to help is not a good sign. I was hoping to see that the Scots could take care of themselves. Every time England needs to come to the rescue is a bad thing for a country that wants to be independent. I think this is England’s way to show Scotland, they can’t live without them. But nevertheless it is a good thing to see the Scots working again...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-13061123