Greenland ice sheet is safer than scientists previously thought

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/26/greenland-ice-sheet-climate-change

Summary:

First thought was that increased melting could lubricate the ice sheet, causing it to sink faster and raising the water level. Climate change would be the consequences of human activities, such as burning up fossil fuels. The impact of rising sea temperatures on melting ice is still uncertain, which makes it difficult to put an limit on potential sea level rises. They discovered, that at a certain limit, the slipping began to slow, so the numbers and consequences from the first estimation, were highly exaggerated and misjudged.

Opinion:

It is important that there are still people researching ‘global warming’ and the first assumptions made by scientist, because we do not have enough information to rule out a pattern in earth’s weather behavior.  We should first make sure that there is even a global warming before trying to cause panic. We are humans and therefore we make mistakes or try to see something that is not there. Not mentioning the possibility of a conspiracy .

Bill gives heads powers to exclude violent pupils

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/jan/27/bill-says-heads-can-exclude-violent-pupils

Summary:

Headteachers will be given the final say on whether to a expel a pupil from their school, if the student is aggressive or violent. At the moment, parents are allowed by law to appeal if their child is excluded and, if successful, can overturn a head's decision. The bill will make sure that an independent review from the headteacher is the final say. Schools will be responsible for finding and funding an alternative school for the expelled pupil.

Teachers will also get new rights to search pupils for pornography, phones, video cameras or anything they believe might cause harm. Teachers accused of wrongdoing by their pupils will be given the right to remain anonymous until they are charged.

Opinion:

I think it is absolutely crazy to give headteachers and teachers these rights. This will only cause more trouble between the students and teachers, because in this way the students will have more reason to fight against teachers if they are touched or searched by teachers. Teachers should be teachers and not be encouraged to act like police officers. This will only create more hostility from the students towards the teachers.

Failure of contraceptive implants sets back battle against teen pregnancies

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/09/implanon-implant-unwanted-pregnancy

Summary:

500 women became pregnant after using contraceptive implants when they thought they were 99% safe. The number of pregnant women (584) is not that high compared to the number that had no problems (82.000), but still no one wants to be one of the unexpected pregnant women.  These numbers are from the past 11 years. Important is that the implant is placed properly in the underside of the arm, so one of the reasons of the malfunction of the implant are the untrained nurses and GPs who have inserted it. Not all of them have taken the time and trouble to get trained. Despite the unwanted pregnancies, experts, who have seen teenage pregnancy rates falling down, hope people will not lose faith in the implants.

Opinion:

584 of a total of 82.000 is not a high percentage but obviously still unacceptable for the families. The implant is a good contraceptive product but as it is not 100% safe maybe they should use some other protection beside the implants just to be sure, not only against pregnancy but also against sexual transmitted diseases.

Man who threw snowball at police faces second court hearing

 

 

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/03/man-snowball-police-court-hearing

Summary:

Dean Smith was playing with his family outside, having a little snowball fight with his stepson when he saw the police officer. He threw the snowball as a joke, not even sure he hit her. Three days later the police turned up at his house in a riot van and arrested him for assaulting a police officer. Dean Smith is charged with common assault. He appeared before magistrates in Derby before Christmas and his case was adjourned until 12 January. Magistrates have adjourned the case to allow the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to proceed with the case or to give Smith a caution. A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said she was unable to answer questions about the case. No one from the CPS in the city was available for comment.

Opinion:

It is unbelievable and ridiculous to bring the man to court for throwing a snowball at the police officer without bad intentions. I understand that police officers are for law and order but they are not gods and should not be offended when someone throws a snowball. Instead of wasting money on the case they could use the money to help kids in bad neighborhoods and to show that police officers are not only solving petty things and have a “i-have-power-to-lock-people-up-for-stupid-things-and-will-use-it” complex.

Minister pledges an end to the housing price rollercoaster

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jan/01/minister-end-housing-price-rollercoaster

Summary:

The price of property is increasing dramatically and will have negative consequences for the young people who do not have a house yet. Instead of increasing the prices slowly to make property more affordable over a long term the prices will go up fast. This will demotivate people to buy property because most young people who have just finished school do not earn enough money to be able to buy property. The government is not in control of the housing market but they can help with Homes Bonus to encourage building. Long-term renting should be fully commercial and accessible option instead of buying, in this way even low income families can get a house.

Opinion:

People should definitely get the option of long-term renting instead of only buying. Especially young people who get out of college and start working should get the opportunity to look for their own home, which they can feel comfortable in. Instead of increasing the prices which makes property unaffordable for 'the little guy' they should make the housing market more accessible.