Hello Everyone :) Every week I will be giving you, as the readers of Speak Up, an overview of the week’s events from across the world. So sit back and enjoy as we look at the good, the bad and the simply bizarre stories of the last seven days. And remember, make sure you put your views down and let your ideas be heard, because after all, it is Speak Up.
And Happy New Year to all from everyone at the Speak Up team.
Week 1
The New Year is upon us and many of us will be taking into account those all important New Year’s resolutions. But to kick off 2011, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has decided to take the all important step to raising VAT (value added tax), also known as consumption tax, from 17.5% to 20%.
For those of you who are unsure, VAT is basically the percentage added onto the price of a product you buy that is then supplied to the Government. The same Government have recently defended their decision to increase the rate saying it is essential to Britain’s economic recovery. However many others argue strongly that this will put unfair and unnecessary strain on many hard working families; who are already struggling in the recession alone.
So whether David and Nick’s (and a bit of George’s) efforts will work remains to be seen, but with many people and families, the voters of this country, still in need of some enlightenment, these cuts and increases in tax will still be under question for a long time to come.
Australia has been overwhelmed this week by catastrophic flooding in the state of Queensland, leaving thousands of people without homes or supplies as well as rapidly slowing down business and trade in an area bigger than France and Germany combined. At present it is estimated that the total cost of flood damage is at around $5 billion (Australian Dollars), roughly around £3.2 billion (British Pound), but with some of the flood water still recorded at around 30 feet high, how much more can Australia withstand?
British and Oscar nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite OBE, the star of many memorable films such as In the Name of the Father, Inception and Jurassic Park has died at the age of 64 after a lengthily battle with cancer. Once described by Steven Spielberg as ‘the greatest actor in the world’, Postlethwaite, originally from a working class family in Warrington, leaves behind a strong legacy and inspiration for many future British actors.
The snow and wintery conditions certainly caught the headlines in December last year, but with the snow behind us comes a new headline and a serious problem, Britain’s back log of rubbish. Due to the snow causing much disruption to local services around the country, piles and piles of rubbish have increased on many streets and in even more homes. Despite the fears of vermin and health risks, the Government has insisted that all is being done to help, even with some areas such as the Midlands and Liverpool not receiving rubbish collections for four weeks.
Since Mark Zuckerberg first had the one small idea to start a social networking site he has come pretty far to say the least. Now at a worth of $50 billion (United States Dollars), estimate £32 billion (British Pound), Facebook, the social networking phenomenon, is the most visited site in the world, beating the likes of Google and Youtube to the top spot. What was once seen as a ‘geek’s’ past time is now something which, well, many of us cannot even seem to live without. Bizarre but true.
Not wanting to seem harsh here, considering Australia’s current fragile state, but this week marked the making of history as England beat Australia in the ultimate battle that is The Ashes. Sorry Australia, I just had to say it.
For the first time in 24 years, England retained The Ashes on enemy soil and, quite clearly, made it look effortless as they won the series 3-1. As well as this, the players all put on magnificent displays and congratulations have been flooding in as this offers a new image on the sport of cricket in England. Well done lads.
Teachers have criticised proposals for free schools in England, calling them unnecessary, after a number of parent groups have agreed with the idea. The schools, which would be funded directly by Government and run by parents and charities, would be out of the control of local authority, a move which the Government says would push up academic standards in many underachieving areas. In a week where many schools are now turning to the possibility of becoming an academy, as 1 in 10 schools in England are now just that, it is being said that the main reason behind the idea is to give more freedom over the curriculum and teachers’ pay and condition as well as hoping to raise the standards of education. But with the education system in much shock and disorientation recently, with rising University fees and many schools failing targets; is this idea the right initiative at the right time?
2010 saw the reunion of boy band Take That and Robbie Williams, what followed was many screaming women and the biggest selling album of the year, titled Progress. With Take That selling 1.84 million copies of the iconic album it held a firm place at the top stop beating the likes of Michael Buble (Crazy Love) and Lady Gaga (The Fame Monster). Furthermore, this year marks the year of Take That’s highly anticipated Progress tour, so expect much more limelight on the famous five in the near future.
Much concern and anger has arisen this week with fuel prices at a record high in the U.K. Many small businesses have called for the cutting of fuel duty as fuel prices soar to an average of around 127.7p per litre. As a result, this will also put much strain on many transport services, small businesses and families who own one or more vehicle. So how can we, the students, help? Simple, get up early and walk to school. At least that would be a breath of fresh air for parents.
Now for something quite unheard of but frightening. It has been reported that thousands of birds have been falling from the sky in the state of Arkansas, U.S.A, with no clear reason why. There has been speculation that it could have been fireworks, disease or heavy weather conditions as similar reports have come from places in Sweden and Great Britain. So while we continue to assume what the cause of this incident is, let us all hope that this is really a fish out of water story and does not reoccur anytime soon.
From unfortunate birds to plain angry birds, it has been revealed that Angry Birds, the hugely popular Ipod app (selling to over 40 million people) will be released as a computer game for the Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable. The game, which features a number of birds trying to save their eggs from evil pigs, could mark the start of many more Iphone apps being made into computer games as gaming companies look for inspiration and fresh ideas in a competitive market.
Ongoing speculation and investigation has continued as the mysterious murder of Jo Yeates is still in question. The promising landscape architect from Bristol was sadly murdered and found within the snow near her home on Christmas Day, consequently pending deep investigation by the police. Nonetheless the public’s response has been fantastic still and it has been nice to see that the public have given their hearts to the case when a precious life was so easily taken away.
The popular music and entertainment store HMV is facing tough times as it is set to close 60 stores and face possible fears of shutting down after poor winter sales. A high street favourite, HMV has been undermined by sources such as the Internet and supermarket brands in recent years as more and more high street stores face the axe. As well as this, many job cuts will come into effect at a very difficult time for the company, something which many will not see as music to their ears.
Swine flu vaccination fears have risen in the UK as a number of people have unfortunately died and many more vulnerable people including elderly people and pregnant women still wait anxiously for vaccines. Although it is now said swine flu has peaked and now statistically fallen, many supplies are not available in many areas of the U.K and not being supplied fast enough, putting severe pressure on GPs and the NHS.
Some ministers have called for the scraping of GCSEs after claims that the introduction of technical university colleges (for specific subjects and fields) would benefit students. The proposal would see students take tests aged 14, after which choosing academic routes straight after, therefore offering more vocational education for students aged between 14-19 years of age. But many have argued that students should not be forced to make difficult decisions at such a young age. But what they have to remember, while they argue over what is the best option, is that this is our education they are dealing with here, not theirs.
Pop singer Jesse J has been voted the BBC Sound of 2011 after beating strong competition in front of a panel of well known judges and music critics. The 22 year old from Essex has much ambition for great things, with her efforts seeing her already have collaborations with Miley Cyrus (co-writing Party in the U.S.A.) Rihanna and Justin Timberlake and performing on the West end stage to name only a few. On top of this she overcame a minor stroke and heart condition aged 18, so even in the face of great adversity she has continued to display her fine talent to perform. Good luck Jeese J.
In other news:
- The King’s Speech is tipped for huge Oscar success
- Roy Hodgson parts company with Liverpool F.C
- Two men are arrested over the rape and sexual abuse of young girls in Derby
- Power Balance Bands become a hot topic with many celebrities and sports stars
- US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is in a critical condition after being shot
- South Sudan votes for independence
- David Beckham trains with Tottenham Hotspur F.C
- The Government calls for a sharp decrease in bankers bonuses
- The National Bullying Helpline closes down
- Proposals are put forward to have 3D lessons in schools
- Clouds in the UK stop many from seeing a rare solar eclipse
- An increase in airport security comes into effect across the U.K
- Calls are made for industry reform after the BP Oil spill
- A 7/7 bombings hero, who was noted and praised for his bravery and actions during the bombings, has been arrested after being found smuggling illegal drugs into the U.K
- Blackburn F.C. make a offer of £8 million for Ronaldinho
- Celtic F.C and Rangers F.C. fans unite to remember those who died at the Ibrox disaster in 1971
- Iphone glitch sees many people’s alarm clocks not working
By Alexander Tyldesley
