News.Scotland.Org

January, 31

Representing Scotland in the International finals of a major counselling competition, two law students from Dundee University will head to India for the finals. It was told that Steven Blane and Bruce Langlands both students of School of Law at Dundee are doing their diploma in legal practice. These students will head to Bangalore in India for the competition in which teams from all parts of the world will be participating.

The main aim of this global competition is to test the different skills and quality a lawyer should possess in his profession. It tests their ability, confidence, awareness, counselling and other legal aspects. These two law students are looking to repeat the success of the Scottish team from Glasgow who were the winners in the 2002 competition in Florida.

Meanwhile the Scottish round of this competition included five institutions which offer the Diploma in legal practice. Dundee also has hosted this competition in 2006 in which the team from Glasgow school of graduates won the competition. This global competition gives these future lawyers to test their ability and skill and also to know the different facet of the case.

January, 30

With the growing terrorism and terrorist activities, a new initiative was taken to eradicate this huge threat in Edinburgh. The shop workers in Edinburgh are not only busy in their daily work these days, but are also learning the art of tracking these terrorist. These shop workers are taught the skills to spot out these terrorist and also to identify suspicious packages. In this training program several delegates from various retail and security sectors took part.

The project named Griffin training seminar not only included the Edinburgh shop workers, but it also roped in several experts from Edinburgh City Council, Lothian and Borders police and Counter terrorism branch from London police. All these expert minds discussed about the growing terrorism and the ways and measures to contour them with proper planning and formulation.

They also put forth the need for civilians to step up and contribute their efforts to slow down the terrorist activities around them. In this seminar it was also discussed that, the police look for positive assistance from public to identify any such suspicious activities which can be helpful to stop any untoward incidents. It was also felt that time has come when all should act together to throw out terrorism from our society.

Meanwhile plans are to make Edinburgh safe from all such terror threats and improve the security of the place for a better and safe tomorrow.

January, 29

The youths in Scotland have embraced this boozing culture like a new trend and most of the youths are having this hard drink as a child’s play. This problem is growing more and more and illegal drinking is seen in huge number now a days. In one of such incident the Grampian police caught an under-age drinker who was found with alcohol in a baby’s bottle. It was known that with the growing number of under-age drinking police were put on alert to nab these illegal drinkers, and in the same process this youth was caught by the police here yesterday.

According to police during this patrolling in sensitive area where these young drinkers could we nabbed, they caught couple of youth with alcohol in their possession. While the patrol police caught one youth who was carrying a baby feeding bottle containing cider with him. It was also known that during this past weekend alone, police have caught two more youths under-aged who were conveyed home after they were under the influence of alcohol. As in recent past it was learnt that many such untoward accident occurred where youths who were driving under influence of liquor claimed lives of many innocent people on roads.

Even the parents were unaware of the fact that their wards are risking their lives and also of others, with this alcohol mania. It has to be thought from the side of the parents that what their children are doing. Parents should keep an eye on their children and try to protect them from all these unhealthy things. Police is trying all measure to curb this growing menace and have also issued a fine of £40 for any youth of 16 and over to be caught drinking liquor in public. Hope with these initiative such illegal incidents will decrease.

January, 28

The working culture is making people of Europe to dump their creativity and fun-filled nature, to fit into the working environment of the industry. One of the recent report revealed that more than one-in-every three people use to suppress the lighter side of their personality as they switch to work. With so much corporate culture and hectic working environment these days, people are living on the edge sacrificing their creativity and interest for adapting to the work atmosphere.

This study conducted on the employees showed some hidden facts, which pointed out that around 37 percent of employees agreed that they hold back their fun factor, as they arrive at work. It was noticed that people after getting in to the working ambit tend to cull their personal interest and creativity in order to be part of that working population.

This growing problem is slowly widening its scope to few other countries to, where the working population are compromising their personal interest and fun for the sake of their job. This is not only affecting the employees, but it was learnt that even the recruiters were seen having a divided opinion when it comes to picking up the right candidates for jobs. Half of these recruiters eyes for candidates who could fit to their working culture, while rest looked for people who could bring in some difference to their company.

With all these mixed opinions, and employees embracing a workaholic kind of living, it seems these professionals are killing their interest to fit in to the working atmosphere. The growing industrialisation can soon turn these working creatures to a machine with no feelings and interest in their life.

January, 25

With the decline in the rate of the mortgage sanction in recent months, there are clear chances that the price of houses would drop down in coming months. The recent reports from the British Bankers Association suggested that it is the first time till last ten years the mortgage for buying property has fallen to such a low.

If we look at the record of BBA, the gross mortgage lending with remortgages were £15.1 billion last month, which was down by 22.2 percent on Dec 2006 and £1.4 billion lower than last November. This steep decline in the mortgage rates is hinting towards a fall in the prices of houses in near future.

Many economist and bankers suggests that if this downward trend continues, then it will affect the economy on long run. Another major reason for this change is said to be the credit crunch blocking the way for banks to raise money. The increased borrowing cost and lower disposable income is also making the mortgage percentage at a lower level. Also the market has changed a bit with lenders becoming a bit stringent on the part of their lending measures due to the credit crunch.

Now with such a situation in the market one has to see whether this present swing will continue for a long in the coming months. If that happens then it is for sure that the prices for houses will be at a record low and will be a big transformation and something to worry for the banks.

January, 24

The number of HIV patients in Scotland are increasing at a great pace, it was noticed that last year the figures were quite higher than the last years. The figures released by the Health Protection Scotland (HPS) showed that during 2007 about 446 such HIV cases were reported, while in 2006 only 345 cases were there on record. This clearly shows how the HIV cases are on a high these days, even reports is there that the rise in heterosexual infections too is adding to the figures.

The reports and studies conducted have also highlighted the fact that the main cause of the transmission of this HIV is through sexual activities and only a few cases are reported by injecting drugs. Well if we look to the actual figures it tells that in 2007 188 HIV cases were reported in gay men and another 181 cases in heterosexual men and women. All these figures were far more than the previous year which is hinting toward a growing concern to control this upward trend.

To make sure people get the message of having safe sex and also to motivate people to come forward and go for HIV test, steps are taken. But then also about 5415 people are still living in Scotland with HIV. Glenn Codere, from HPS said these growing cases are a mix bag of positives and negatives, as on one hand we have the lowest number of HIV cases reported in drug users, but on other hand we have the highest number of cases at a whole. People need to understand the need for having safe sex to avoid risking their and their partners life from getting affected from HIV.

There need some concrete steps so that more and more people stand up and get tested for HIV and also should have enough knowledge about safe sex. Now to make the situation under control there is massive need to spread the message of safe sex and taking this seriously to get examined for HIV.

January, 23

Now try and burst out your stress levels or else you will end with heart disease. This eye raising fact was revealed yesterday in a study conducted by scientists. The research was conducted on civil servants who were U-50 and are victims of chronic stress; shockingly it was found that these people were at more risk to get affected by heart diseases than others.

With the hectic working schedule and growing responsibility is some how making people to have a bad routine and eating habits. Meanwhile the researchers from University College London have found that about 32 percent of the stress which could lead to heart disorder is due to have a bad eating habit and also poor fitness regime.

Well the high level of stress tend to lower the heart rate variability leading to severe complications, even doctors have suggested that chronic stress is not good for health. Stress when gets a part of life makes things a bit messy with the damage, stress hormones can do over a long period of time. Another essential factor is the heart rate variability; more heart rate variability shows how one can quickly react to stress.

If one does not keep the stress levels under control then in long run this could affect the heart and could be a threat for heart disease. Another essential element is to maintain a good diet and eating habit also should follow exercise to get a healthy living. So don’t get over stressed and try to follow a proper eating habit and regular exercise.

January, 22

Something to cheer for all those parents and their tiny tots who love clubbing, now you both can tango in the same place no worries whether your kid is six-months-old or seven-years-old this new project is all set to make its mark in Scotland soon. It was told that such type of discos have already made its mark in America, where it got a great support.

These types of discos flaunts the same features which any of the posh nightclubs hold, but in addition to that, it offers some special features, like face-painting, healthy snacks for kids and a separate bar for adults. This would help parents to get in to the thick of action with their wards in a best way.

Aida Santory is the women behind this project; she is also a mother of three children and wish that the Scottish people would like this concept where both children and parents can enjoy at a same place. These clubs will help all parents to spend more quality time with their kids and have the right enjoyment together. This place is far more vibrant than any other place which serves such an extravaganza for both age groups in the same arena.

Mrs Santory added, the venues where these events will happen is rigorously been checked to avoid any security laggings. Also we take great efforts to make sure these places are well cleaned and hygienic, so that it is safe for young children. The music played in here will be below 80 decibels, so that it doesn’t effects the soft ears of young ones. Even the bar area is separate, so that kids can’t get in there. Mrs Santory says, “I’ve got two kids myself and I wouldn’t want them to be somewhere which wasn’t suitable for them”.

Well all these attractions and features make this recreational zone exclusive for parents and their kids, providing an action filled atmosphere for them. But the main factor to look for is whether this club could impress the Scottish parents and their children with its unique attractions.

January, 21

It was a tough day for commuters who have to bear the brunt of the blaze which damaged the overhead power lines causing delay in the railway operation yesterday morning. This incident happened on the Cumbernauld to Lanark rail line in Lanarkshire. The delay affected thousands of travellers who were blocked in between their voyage. Meanwhile it was known that, to get the situation under control about 25 fire-fighters were called to control the blaze. The sky was filled with black smoke caused by the burning of 400 tonnes of tyres.

As per reports it was known that the fire started at around 7pm last night close to the former building yard of waste firm shanks and McEwan. The fire-fighters battled quite hard to bring the fire under control. With the proximity of the railway line and the incident spot, the rail services were paralysed.

With such a massive fire, it is still under doubt whether the train services would get back to normalcy soon. This fire also proved unhealthy for people with the emission of harmful fumes and smoke emerging from the fire. All this made people to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows shut. It was learnt that the winds made the extinguishing work tougher with spreading the fire more.

Along the commuters the near by residents also had to bear the burden of the sudden blaze, with the stoppage of rail service in the Lanark rail line and massive fire fury people seemed to be in a disarray. But works are on to make sure the rail service gets going as normal.

January, 18

With the increase in the number young lads taking up drinking as a new trend these days, a sudden jump in offences including rash driving and accidents are now a normal scene in Scotland. To keep a check to this growing menace and also to make sure these young children don’t get addicted to this liquor mania. Tayside police have stood up with a new plan to have a control on these growing cases.

In this drive, it was thought of implementing extra police patrols in area which are known to be vulnerable to these incidents. To make this campaign more strong and result oriented, few other agencies will also be involved in order to overcome this current issue. Talking regarding this issue, Chief Superintendent Colin McCashey, the divisional commander in Dundee said, if we look to the record of last month of 2007 we can find that hundreds of young children were caught either under the influence of alcohol or with the possession of alcohol.

In one of such recent road accident report, which we published in our blog regarding the death of Mr Newlove, 47 who lost his life when some youths under influence of liquor hit him with car while he was crossing the road. This was just one of such recent incidents, many other such accidents have been occurred which opens a debate for this change in trend among young children.

Now this issue has taken a big toll on the society both practically and physiologically demanding a need for a change in these types of growing habits in youths. Even its more over now the responsibility of parents to keep an eye on their wards and check what they are doing and do they possess some bad habits or company.