iblog

Steve Robinson: A stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea is currently infecting more than 100,000 people in the UK each week, doctors have warned. They have urged infected people to remain at home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms of the illness – often called winter vomiting disease – have disappeared, in an attempt to stem the rate of new infections.

The illness is caused by an infectious agent called a norovirus (or Norwalk Virus). Infection causes sudden and acute diarrhoea within just 12 hours, along with projectile vomiting. Flu-like symptoms can also occur, hence its nickname ‘Stomach Flu’. It is estimated that around a million people are infected with the stomach bug each year, but the Health Protection Agency have confirmed that the current wave of infections sweeping the nation is at its highest since 2002.

“Surgeries and hospitals have been swamped with people wanting advice. Wash your hands regularly so you don’t infect anyone else and stay at home two days after the symptoms have gone.

The virus can be contracted by being in contact with infected people, surfaces, food or drink. Outbreaks are difficult to contain due to the low-level of immunity that the body establishes and the only form of containment is to disinfect surfaces and wash your hands regularly. Doctors have advised that, although the disease is not dangerous, sufferers should drink plenty of water to keep themselves hydrated, wash their hands to stop the disease spreading to others, and not return to work until 48 hours after symptoms have eased, as individuals may still infect others.

Although official figures have suggested that 100,000 new cases are appearing each week – and that number may even rise further – it is likely that the real number of infections is far higher still, as most people do not report their illness. With potentially millions of people infected with this virus, the message that sufferers should stay at home seems like good advice, otherwise this will spread around offices even quicker. Although the condition is not serious, there is no real treatment apart from letting the illness take its course. Thankfully, if you are unlucky enough to catch the bug, it should relent within a day or so.

Image: MorgueFile

Kayleigh: Drivers have been warned that the freezing temperatures and snow could severely affect Britain’s roads today.

Most of Northern England and Scotland woke up to a blanket of snow this morning, and the weather is expected to continue for the rest of the day.

The Highways Agency have urged drivers to check road conditions before they set out and avoid unnecessary journeys. Motorists have also been advised to wear warm clothing and to carry an emergency pack in their car containing items such as boots and a spade.

Temperatures today are between 0 and 3 Celsius, however the wind will make it seem even colder.

Snowfall is expected to be up to two inches (5cm) deep in parts of England and Wales. Scotland is expected to be the worst hit however, with predictions of up to six inches 20cm (15cm) by tonight.

Helen Chivers, from the Met Office said: “There will be frost and ice all over the country, and we are likely to see some flurries of snow.

“We could finally have a white winter almost anywhere in the country because the temperatures will be low enough, but the east of England and the Midlands are the best bets for a dusting of one to two centimetres. On the Chilterns and in some parts of Scotland, we could see up to five centimetres settling.”

Gritters and snowploughs already began clearing most of the UK’s roads lastnight. Network Rail also said it had staff ready to clear the tracks to reduce disruption to Britain’s rail tracks.

Another Highway Agency spokesman stressed how important it was for drivers to be extra careful in these bad weather conditions. They said: “It can take ten times longer to stop when it is icy, so allow more room to slow down and stop.

“Avoid losing control of your vehicle because of wheel spin, by using the highest gear possible. Avoid sudden braking, acceleration and sharp turns.”

The cold weather is not expected to last, with forecasters predicting temperatures of up to 8 Celsius tommorrow, and double figures by the weekend. However, the freezing temperatures are expected to return next week. Weather-Action said: “The winds from Siberia will return, making it one of the coldest winters for two decades.”

Kayleigh: Several universities in the UK have announced they will be charging thousands of students as much of £7,000 a year for their tuition fees.

The news comes as several universities say government ministers have cut their funding.

Instead, the money that is due to be cut from universities will be used to provide an extra 20,000 full-time places for undergraduates who have not already studied for degrees.

The cuts of around 100m a year will affect about 170,000 part-time students, as well as many others studying shorter full-time courses. The government say they are also cutting funding for those studying for their second degree.

The universities which have been hit worst by the cuts, which are due to come into force in September 2008 are Oxford University, who will lose £4m, and the Open University, set to lose over £30m.

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said: ”For the tax payer, funding people for a first degree has to be a higher priority than supporting those studying for a second degree.

“We have however been consulting on the detail of implementation and a whole range of second degrees such as vocational foundation degrees to help people re-skill will be protected. No university will lose in cash terms.”

Universities claim they have no other option but to charge students £7000 for a year of tuition, the same as what overseas students pay. But not everyone agrees with their decision.

The University and College Union’s (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt said: “We fully support initiatives to encourage new learners into higher education but we cannot support doors being slammed in the faces of others who wish to develop their skills. These cuts completely undermine the Government’s desire to provide the workforce with accessible part-time provision.”

As a student myself, I am against increasing tuition fees, I think they are already high enough. The government claims they would like 50% of young adults to go to university, but I think they are being hypocrits by increasing the fees and putting off those bright, poor students out there who simply can not afford the governments hefty fees.

Rushda: Today marks a terribly sad day for Pakistan and indeed much of the world as Benazir Bhutto, the leading Pakistani opponant and former Prime Minister, has been killed in a suicide bomb attack whilst doing an election rally for next month’s general election in the northern region of Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad. This event marks a severe blow to any hope in the return of stable democracy in Pakistan as many believe that Bhutto’s liberal views and bid to counter terrorism have now been in vain.

The assassination was sudden as she spoke to thousands of people in the crowd. As Mohammad Zaman, a member of her PPP party, explains:

“The meeting went perfectly well. She delivered her speech, she came down the stage and got on the land-cruiser. She started coming out, we heard three [shots] fired, and after that the bomb blast went [off]. And when I came down the road I saw there was loads and loads of injured. And I really thought that her vehicle was safe and left the place safely. I was hoping she would be OK.”

Though Bhutto was taken swiftly to hospital, she died straight away. It is unclear at present who was involved in the attack and what the motive was, but it is strongly believed that the attack links with Al-Qaeda who, amongst others, were angry at her secular leadership and affinity to the West. The country is in shock and in many parts considered to be a danger after the attacks with curfews in main city areas. Many are understandably emotional and angry, with some blaming the current president Pervez Musharraf for not ensuring that Bhutto received adequate security.

Having studied at both Harvard and Oxford, Bhutto gave much hope to those in the West and in Pakistan who feel threatened by Islamic extremism. As the only woman to have been Prime Minister of Pakistan, she also represented women’s rights in Pakistan which are often suppressed due to Islamic practices. Major world leaders believe that her death has been an attempt to kill democracy in Pakistan, but as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said in his speech:

“Benazir Bhutto may have been killed by terrorists but the terrorists must not be allowed to kill democracy in Pakistan and this atrocity strengthens our resolve that terrorists will not win there, here or anywhere in the world. We will work with all in the Pakistani community in Britain and elsewhere in the world so that we can have a peaceful and safe and democratic Pakistan.”

My heart goes out to all of Bhutto’s family and supporters as we are reminded once again of the dangers extremists pose for those who wish to fight for tolerance. Who knows what lies in store for Pakistan now, and how safe it remains.

Steve Robinson: Fabio Capello was made England manager yesterday, a move that should give England fans a renewed sense of hope following the disappointing failure to qualify for Euro 2008. The former Real Madrid manager has signed a four-and-a-half year deal, with an option to terminate after the 2010 World Cup.

“I am delighted that Fabio Capello has agreed to become England Manager. When we set out to recruit the new manager, we said we were committed to appointing a world-class candidate. In Fabio Capello we have that man.

Brian Barwick, FA Chief Executive

Capello had been touted as firm favourite since Mourino ruled himself out last week. The FA were keen to stress however that Capello was their number one choice, and the appointment was unanimously agreed by the FA Board on Thursday. The appointment comes only three weeks after Steve McClaren’s reign came to an end with the defeat at Wembley to Croatia. The new manager begins work on Monday 7 January with his first game scheduled for 6 February, a home friendly against Euro 2008 hosts Switzerland.

Capello has an impressive CV. The Italian started his playing career with SPAL before moving to Roma, Juventus and AC Milan. He was part of the Italian national side for four years, gaining 32 caps and scoring 8 goals. In 1991 he became coach at AC Milan, with whom he won Serie A four years out of five, culminating in the UEFA Champions League victory over Barcelona in 1994. He later coached Roma and Juventus, winning the league with both, before returning to Real Madrid where he again won the Spanish league title. Although he has never coached at international level, Capello has worked with the top players in Europe, as well as being a former international player himself, and so is well qualified to lead England forward.

The FA announced they would scour the world for contenders, and take as long as they deemed necessary to find the right man, given the next competitive game is not until September 2008. Yet, England were without a manager for just three weeks, a move that has been rightly called into question. However, the FA singled out their man and went for him, a decisive trait they lacked when searching for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s replacement. In Capello, the FA have found an extremely capable manager. Put simply, the FA deserves praise, despite their previous failings, and England fans should look forward to the future.

To read more about this and other Footballing stories - go to TalkFootball.co.uk

Image: Flixya.com

Steve Robinson: In the latest efforts to bring stability to Iraq, Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced yesterday that British troops would begin withdrawing from the Basra region within the next two weeks. The move is the first step to reducing the UK presence in the area to just 2,500 troops by spring 2008, and will be the first time that Iraq’s second city will be without foreign soldiers since the conflict began in 2003. Brown also praised soldiers for their efforts during his unannounced visit to Basra, saying the British people were proud of them, according to BBC News.

“I have just talked to Prime Minister [of Iraq] Maliki and he asked me to pass on his thanks to you for what you have done to help rebuild the democracy of Iraq.

“I know many of you will not be home for Christmas, but I do appreciate the spirit of service that means you are serving here the national interest at Christmas time.”

Gordon Brown speaking at a Basra airbase yesterday
Source: BBC News

The decision comes amid concerns that, despite the PM’s reassurances that the 30,000 Iraqi armed forces and police can provide effective provincial control, the situation in Iraq could easily worsen following the withdrawal of troops. Only in August, following the initial stages of handing Basra back to the Iraqi authorities, violence broke out over political control and oil resources in the region amongst Shiite militias. Furthermore, last week the Commons Defence Committee – the body of MPs that monitors the Ministry of Defence – warned that removing troops could lead to insecurity in the area. They questioned the allegiances of police officers, saying that the British troops may have made “significant progress” in the region but that it still relied on British soldiers to function (Source: Sky News).

Though this staggered withdrawal from the region is a positive move for Iraq, culminating presumably in the complete removal of British troops over the next year or so, the apparent successes of the British in Basra could be undermined by instability caused by infighting or criminal activity, which could well rise after the withdrawal. However, if the Iraqi forces are able to maintain order in the region, then the New Year will be a cause for celebration in Basra, as the whole country looks forward to an important year ahead.

Image: The White House

Rushda: Many girls across the world will be disappointed to hear that one of the world’s richest and most eligible bachelors, Google’s co-founder Larry Page, is marrying his girlfriend Lucy Southworth on a private island in the Caribbean. Larry Page, who is the joint fifth-richest man in the United States, has an estimated fortune of $18.5bn (£9bn). It is rumoured that he has invited over 600 guests to the wedding. The private 74-acre paradise is called Necker Island, and is owned by Sir Richard Branson who is also Page’s best man for the wedding.

The couple are said to have been dating for around a year, and it is not known whether or not they are signing a prenuptial agreement. Though Lucy and Larry themselves have not confirmed the event to the media, it is certain that the wedding will be taking place. The 600 guests were told that they only required a valid passport for the weekend as private planes would be provided to take them to the island. Over the past 6 months wedding planners have booked up all the hotels on the neighbouring island of Virgin Gorda in order to ensure there will be enough room for all the guests. As one source has said:

“They rented all of Virgin Gorda. They took over the island.”

Though much of the guest-list is kept a secret, it does contain such high-profile figures as Bill and Hillary Clinton, and other celebrities such as U2 singer Bono.

Rushda: Over the last few days many have been in shock over what has happened to British teacher Gillian Gibbons who has been sentenced to fifteen days in prison in Sudan for allowing her primary school class to name a teddy bear “Muhammad”. The act has been held to be an insult to Islam even though Gibbons had no idea she was causing any offence. The sentence comes after many thought that Gibbons may even receive 40 lashes for this apparent crime.

The conviction has given rise to much controversy on either side. Whilst those in Britain and other western countries are absolutely appalled, especially considering it wasn’t even her own suggestion that the teddy be called Muhammad but that of her pupils, many in Sudan are protesting violently because they believe her sentence had been too lenient. After all, why should anyone get away with making a mockery of their religion or worse, as some believe, being part of a western “conspiracy” to undermine the religion?

The prison conditions are supposed to be “very harsh” in Sudan so it is a matter of urgency that Gibbons is freed. Many people have been in touch with Sudanese authorities, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown. As a spokesman from Downing Street says:

“We are doing all we can to ensure her release. Various intense activity is ongoing but I’m afraid it’s not helpful for me to get into the detail of what that is at the moment.”

The sentencing brings up many puzzling questions about how offence can be taken at the smallest of things and whether it was really justified. Indeed Western mentalities cannot understand how it can be perfectly acceptable to name boys “Muhammad” but not pets or toys. Will we be caught out again and again by trivial distinctions that make it impossible for anyone to live comfortably in the presence of those who interpret almost anything as insulting? And will we insist with dogmatic conviction at every opportunity that no one should take offence at the things we do? A little bit of compromise from both sides would certainly not go amiss.

Jeanne: Here’s another troubling abortion-related issue in light of Kayleigh’s recent blog.

Female foeticide has long been a problem in a number of Asian countries, especially India. However, researchers and social workers now believe that many UK Asians may be choosing to abort female foetuses rather than experience the ‘shame’ of having a female child.

The study, carried out by Oxford University examined birth statistics within the Asian community between 1990 and 2005. It found that 1,500 girls are missing from national birth data in England and Wales. In addition, the proportion of sons born to Asian women has been steadily increasing since the 1970s. In 1970, statistics suggest that 103 British Asian boys were born for every 100 girls. Between 2000 and 2005, however, the ratio had increased to 114 boys for every 100 girls. The difference may appear small, indeed insignificant, but it is a trend which can only really be explained by female foeticide. Dr, Sylvie Dubec, who was responsible for undertaking this study has underlined the problem posed by sex-selective abortion:

“According to my calculation around 1,500 girls are missing… it’s significant compared to the total number of births.”

However, this is a trend that is likely to continue. In India, the perceived superiority of the male child is a widely held notion. Many British Asian women state that they abort female foetuses in order to avoid pressure back home. Speaking anonymously to the BBC, one lady described her thoughts on learning the sex of her baby:

“Unfortunately, it was another girl. My husband and I thought the burden would probably be too much and the pressure when I got back home. So we decided to terminate.”

As a reflection of the extent of this problem, many British Asian women are willing to go back to their countries of origin simply to abort female foetuses. This is despite the fact that, officially at least, female foeticide has been illegal in India since 1980. However, during the last 25 years some seven million girls have been reported as ‘missing’ from Indian population statistics. Without government action, there is every chance that this sorry tale will be repeated in the UK as well.

Kayleigh: The BBC has discovered that women are still having back street abortions even though they were made legal over 40 years ago.

A BBC undercover reporter posed as an illegal immigrant who was 6 weeks pregnant and went ‘for help’ to special Chinese herb shops in East London. One of the staff who worked at the Shanghai Herbal and Acupuncture Centre offered to help her. He said:

“If you see the bleeding come out, that’s fine, some people don’t. I need to call another company, from China, [they will] deliver it to here, you understand?”

He then sold her a drink for £40 so she would have a miscarriage.

Currently in the UK, an abortion is only legal up to 24 weeks. Some desperate women, often teenagers and younger women, feel they have to turn to illegal abortions to get the help they need. Professional private abortions can cost between £350 and £750, so you can imagine it can be difficult for some to find this kind of money.

Whilst I do not agree with illegal back street abortions, I do think the waiting list for abortions is far too long on the NHS and needs to be looked at. Abortion can be a traumatic experience for any woman to go through, and women shouldn’t have to feel they have to turn away from their healthcare service in order to get one.