How could you, Rebekah?

Rebekah Wade, the editor of the Sun and soon to become chief executive of News International, is also called the empress and ruler of men. She is a very independent and strong woman, but she has shocked her fans. Married Rebekah has taken her husband’s name. She has decided to take her second husband’s surname, so no Rebekah Wade anymore, but Mrs Brooks. She’s not that kind of woman you would expect to give up her own identity, but apparently she is following the last trend. In the seventies, eighties and nineties the number of women who were keeping their own names had increased, but over the last 10 years women have become old fashioned again, because they have decided to take their husband’s name again.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jun/25/rebekah-wade-husbands-surname

Reaction to: How could you, Rebekah?

Seriously, what’s in a name? Why would the Guardian publish something ridiculous like this. Is there really somebody who cares that Rebekah Wade is now Rebekah Brooks? After all, it has to be your own choice. According to recent surveys, somewhere between 60 and 80 percent of brides take their husband's last name when they get married. I can imagine that you consider taking your husbands name if you’re planning on having children. Like that you will be easily recognizable as being one family. If you don’t like your surname it’s also a good reason to take your husbands’. I really don’t see why people are making a big deal out of this.

UN shows scale of UK cocaine use

According to a report of the UN office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) the use of cannabis has decreased among young people in the UK, but the number of cocaine users is still very high. There are more cocaine users in the UK than in other European countries, with the exception of Spain. The UK has the largest cocaine market in Europe, with 860.000 users in England and another 140.000 users in Northern Ireland and Scotland. The problem is not only the number of cocaine users, but also the purity of the cocaine has declined. In 2007 the purity of cocaine was about 67%, but nowadays the purity is less than 9% and in some cases only 5%. The good news is that, because of the dilution of cocaine, the latest figures show a slight drop in users of this white powder.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8117162.stm

Reaction to: UN shows scale of UK cocaine use

What a total surprise! The UK has the largest cocaine market in Europe and that is something I really didn’t expect. We all know that some (English) models use cocaine to stay skinny, because it takes away the appetite, but it was a big surprise to me to find out about the large international cocaine trafficking activities in the UK. It is also pretty scary to know that the purity of this powder is so incredibly low. I am wondering what is in the other 90%. I have heard some stories in which they say that there is glass powder in the cocaine. This glass powder causes bleedings in your body and it can actually kill you. One thing is sure; no cocaine for me.

Is Michael Schumacher really the Stig?

BBC programme Top Gear has revealed the identity of The Stig yesterday evening. The Stig is the mysterious test driver of the programme wearing a white helmet and overalls. Everybody is wondering if Michael Schumacher is really The Stig or that this is just a publicity stunt to launch the latest series of Top Gear. Why would this former formula one world champion test-drive cars for the BBC? It doesn’t seem to make any sense that the German multi-millionaire would do this in his spare time. Last night’s revelation wasn’t really a very big surprise, because this episode has been filmed on Wednesday and somebody has published the name of Schumacher on a few fan sites.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2009/jun/22/stig-michael-schumacher



Reaction to: Is Michael Schumacher really the Stig?

So we still don’t know the answer: Is Michael Schumacher really the Stig or was it all a publicity stunt? I have no idea what to think of it, but there’s a big chance that it was just a publicity stunt. As a Top Gear fan I always loved the mysterious part of The Stig in the programme, but that’s all gone now. Michael Schumacher a test-driver of reasonably priced cars? It is hard to believe that a multi-millionaire would do that. I have no idea weather it’s real or not, but I do know that it was great fun to watch this episode of Top Gear.

Nursery worker held over distribution of indecent pictures of children

The police received a tip-off yesterday evening at 9pm about a woman who kept indecent pictures of children. The 39 year old woman, from Plymouth, has been arrested after the police researched her home and the nursery where she was working. Parents who came to drop off their children at the Little Teds nursery today, were surprised to find the nursery closed and they received a letter about the matter. The nursery will be closed until the police have finished their investigation. Detectives are trying to find out where the indecent photos came from, who the victims are and where they went to.

Reaction to: Nursery worker held over distribution of indecent pictures of children

I am also wondering where the indecent pictures came from and where they went. Did she put them on the internet? It is shocking that people like this are able to work in a nursery, because they should be in a mental institution. The idea is frightening and perhaps they should develop a test to check the physical conditions of people before letting them work with youngsters. It is hard to imagine being one of these parents whose children’s indecent images are circulating on the internet. It must be so hard to deal with when you find out that there are pictures of your child in somebody’s house or on porn sites.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/5485762/Nursery-worker-held-over-distribution-of-indecent-pictures-of-children.html

How do you tell a 10-year-old girl she has breast cancer?

One day Hannah Auslams’ mother asked her what was wrong and she told her that her nipple was itchy. Her mother insisted on checking it and when she saw the red nipple with the size of a ping pong ball she knew that something had to be wrong, but she didn’t think of breast cancer. Her parents assumed it was an innocent growth, but after a puncture the doctors discovered that the tumour was malignant. They were devastated and they had no idea how to tell Hannah this horrible news. The doctors couldn’t believe their eyes, because just one tenth of 1% of breast cancer cases are present at children. Hannah has undergone a partial mastectomy. She is very tired, but the operation was a success. When Hannah checked her wound and the removed breast she was shocked. She will start chemotherapy treatments at the end of the month. The bad news is that doctors have discovered that Hannah has cancerous lymph nodes as well which they will try to remove soon. Hannah wants to live like any other kid and when she will feel better she wants to set an example for other children. Her goal is to make sure other children won’t be too shy to tell their parents when something is wrong. Hopefully, Hannah will be healthy enough to go back to school in September.


Reaction to: How do you tell a 10-year-old girl she has breast cancer?

Breast cancer is something you won’t expect at that age so it must be really shocking to hear that your daughter has it. I think it must be even worse to tell it to your own child. How do you explain a 10-year-old that the doctors will have to remove a breast? Breasts are very important when little girls grow up and become an adolescent. Her parents have been sobbing for three days before telling Hannah the bad news. I can imagine that you need some time to think of what you’re going to tell your child and how to bring this bad news. At this age they probably don’t know much about this illness. I think Hannah is a very brave girl and I admire her for having the goal to help other children with cancer.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/real-life/2009/06/03/how-do-you-tell-a-10-year-old-girl-she-has-breast-cancer-115875-21410100/

Catholic man Kevin McDaid beaten to death 'by UDA gang'

The 49-year-old Kevin McDaid was beaten to death in Coleraine on Sunday evening by members of the Ulster Defence Association. His wife tried to save him, but while she did that they beat her as well. A neighbor came to help Evelyn McDaid and they beat her as well. She is pregnant, and that’s what she was screaming as well, but the attackers didn’t seem to care. Both women have been injured when they tried to save Kevin. It was to do with religion, because Kevin was a catholic and Evelyn is a protestant. One of the sons said that the police was about 100 yards away, but they didn’t do anything to save his father. He shouted at them, but they didn’t come. He called 999 several times, but they arrived too late. They gave Kevin CPR, but he couldn’t be saved. Evelyn and her children are devastated, but they don’t want the catholic community to take revenge.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6364252.ece


Reaction to: Catholic man Kevin McDaid beaten to death ‘by UDA gang’

Killing a man because of his religion. I think it is unbelievable. I thought that these kind of actions were over and done, but nothing is further from the truth. That same night another man was beaten to death for his religion. It makes me furious to see that people can be so cruel. They not even killed this man, but they also injured his wife and the pregnant neighbor. What’s the use of killing someone for it’s religion? Protestants and Catholics believe in the same god and I am sure it’s not in the bible to kill people, because they are different or because they have other beliefs. I am wondering if it’s true that the police was really sitting there and doing nothing, because that would be another horrible crime. It’s their job to help people even though they do not have the same religion. I hope that they will investigate the whole situation very carefully and that they all have to pay for their crime(s)!

At it all night

Susan Boyle did it again. Everybody was really sceptic when this 48- year-old virgin walked in during the auditions of Britain’s got talent 2009. After her amazing performance she deserved her place in the semi-finals. After another stunning performance she earned a place in the final show by winning the public vote. She felt pretty good about the result and she wants to thank the British citizens for supporting her. Some guests of the hotel where Susan is staying at the moment are not really happy to have a room next to this singing star. She keeps on practising, even at night, and that is why some people have to face sleepless nights. They think Susan is desperate to win. Susan knows that everything can happen during the finals, but she is definitely going to give it all.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/2448253/Virgin-Susan-Boyles-singing-wakes-hotel.html


Reaction to : At it all night

Last weekend I was in England with Nicky and Simone and our B&B owners asked us if we wanted to join them watching Britain’s got talent. For me it was the first time I saw Susan Boyle. Amanda, Piers and Simon were very cynical about her and against her before she even started her performance. It was a wake up call for them that they shouldn’t criticize anybody for it’s looks and age. Though I think it is a very interesting subject, I did not really like reading this article, because of the writing style of The Sun. They add many useless information like “the songbird who has never been snogged …”. This has nothing to do with her singing so why putting it into the article. I know that some people like to read a lot of dirt about people, so they might think it’s interesting, but I prefer reading articles without the juicy details. I am wondering if she is going to win the finals. She isn’t pretty and she isn’t young, but she has a hell of a voice!