Harry Potter stays top of UK Box office

The latest Harry Potter movie held on to its top place for the second week running.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 took in 8.3 million pounds between Friday and Sunday. Half of the films in the UK top 10 were new entries, including Machete and The American. The Harry Potter movie however, raked in more then five times then it's nearest rival.

The Deathly Hallows Part 1 raked in 32 million pounds over the thanksgiving weekend in the US and Canada, ensuring it remained in top position. Closest on it's tail was a Disney 3D animation movie with a twist on the Rapunzel fairytale, named Tangled. This movie brought in 31.2 million pounds.

Reaction: I've went to see this movie, and while the Harry Potter series became more and more grim, even newcomers would be lost in the magic. The special effect, the detail with which everything was executed, and the fast pace hold you in place from the first to the last moment. The only downside was that newcomers won't understand any of it knowing this is the 7^th movie. Even die-hard might have problems connecting everything. It's understandable though, as the last book tells so much, I bet even 4 movies wouldn't do the trick.

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Head teacher's New Year honour for helping teenage mothers.

 Julie Stamper, founder of a school for teenage mothers is given New Year Honours for services to education.

She is rewarded for her role in Schoolgirl Mums' Unit, where she has helped hundreds of young mothers continue their education. Academics, governors, head teachers and the like received awards, but one in ten of those on the New Year's list is being honoured for services to education.

Julie's MBE for her role in the Mums' Unit in Hull rewards her work going back to 1989, where she was setting up the facility. Currently, she is head teacher of said facility.

Reaction: Education! Knowledge! About damn time my branch of profession got what some of what it deserved! But I digress. I find it very heartwarming to read that not only education itself is honoured, but the fact that this woman educated pregnant women. A lot of attention is going to these young mothers by means of television programs and news, but afterwards, they basically have to do everything by themselves. This unit supports them to fulfill their goals, even if they have a child, and make sure the child is taken care of as well.

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Organ donation bid to target new drivers

Drivers applying for new licenses from July will have to respond to a question about organ donation. This to increase donor numbers.

The new drivers get three options. Register to donate, say they already signed up or say they don't want to answer this question now. Under the DVLA's (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) scheme, you can skip the question, but it shows 8 million people signed up as donors. It is hoped to increase numbers by giving people the option to respond. If this pilot is successful, it could be used in other areas.

"Being an organ donor is a truly selfless act and is the ultimate gift anyone could give." ~ Anne Milton

Reaction: If it works, continue with it! I'm a donor myself, and the biggest problem is registration. I'm in favor of the presumed consent as well, but this could be troublesome for some religious groups. I do think you should not put this question everywhere, but as long as it does not offend people, it's a good method to raise registration and awareness.

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David Cameron says spending cuts tough but necessary.

Prime Minister David Cameron insisted in his new year message that the spending cuts were necessary, and not out of ideologic zeal.

The PM also said that the economy is be out of the danger zone, but there is still a lot of ''heavy lifting'' coming up in 2011. However, the only alternative for the tough planning cuts would be indecision and delay. This would be unacceptable, according to the PM.

 

The Prime minister included that more needed to be done to counter the Islamic extremism amidst the ongoing UK terror threat. There are several plays at a more collegiate approach.

Reaction: A more collegiate approach. This sounds like what we already have in the Netherlands. Even if some politicians are trying to gun each other down during elections, after that they work together. Well if possible. It doesn't always work, but what I've seen of the British Parliament, I say it's a step in the right direction. Shout at each other all you want, but in the end, if they don't work together, they won't pull through. This all does sound a but fuzzy though. ''Hey let's work together, together we will make it. It will be hard, but we would be the greatest success of the 21^th Century. I don't wanna link this to Communism but come on, keep it real now!

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Woolas rejected from Election

Phil Woolas was ejected from parliament after high court ruled that he had lied during the general election.

Elwyn Watkins, Woolas’ Liberal Democrat opponent, claimed that Woolas misled voters in Oldham East by claiming Watkins had ‘’wooed’’ Islamic extremists. He apparently did so to stir up religious tensions in the final days of election. Election court upheld these arguments after seeing some confidential e-mails from Woolas’ team.

Their decision, the first since 99 years, results In Woolas losing his seat in the Commons and is barred for three years. Additionally, Woolas is also suspended by the Labour Party.

"If you know you have lied about your opponent, then simply you have no part to play in democracy.", according to Watkins.

Personal Opinion: I'm with Watkins on the facts that lying about your opponents a way to run your campaign, nor should it be a part of any election. Instead of sowing seeds of hate and attempting to make the other look bad, it would be better to make sure your election programme is firm, and above all, true. If Elections starts to turn into blackening others, democracy isn't just out of the window, truth and transparancy lay off as well.