Retail sales suffer worst December on record

Retail sales experienced their worst December on record. A sharp drop in sales of food and feul all the while arctic conditions presented in the days before and during Christmas.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the harsh winter and rising prices were to blame. Deloitte estimates 750 million Pounds were taken out of the Christmas retail sales due to the snow. In total, shoppers spent 38.2 billion Pounds, which is one billion less then 2009.

Another factor, next to the coldest December in 100 years, was the 5% rise in prices of goods sold at food stores. The impact of these falling numbers suggest there's much more at hand then just a harsh winter, according to Hetal Mehta.

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Police investigate cause of fight that led to fatal stabbing

Kasey Gordon, a 15-year-old boy suffered fatal injuries yesterday as he made his way home from school. Murder squad detectives were investigating the scene of the crime today of what seemed a knife fight where Kasey was killed and three others were injured.

Witness describe the young victims kicking and punching and an older man armed with a knife. The police arrested a 33-year-old man in a raid on a Turkish cafe. The man had blood on his hands and face. It seems the victim had confronted the older man over an inappropriate comment he made about a younger girl. A fight broke out and his friends stepped in to help.

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Cow stampede death fireman sentenced

Julian Lawford, a fireman who admitted causing the death of Mr Lee after his cattle were startled by the fire engine's siren has been spared jail. Exeter Crown Court pleaded him guilty in December.

Julian pleaded guilty by carelessly driving at his trail in August 2009. Mr Lee was killed as he was walking with the cows along a country road near his home. Lawford was given a four month suspended sentence, and was banned from driving for twelve months. Judge Justice Roderick Evans told Julian he was not considering an immediate custodial sentence, releasing him on conditional bail.

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Police granted extra time to question Jo Yeates suspect

Police has been granted more time to question Vincent Tabak, who a suspect in the murder case of landscape architect Jo Yeates,

Eight days after gone missing, Jo was found on Christmas Day. While Avon and Somerset do not confirm Tabak's arrest, they have been searching his flat, which is next to that of Jo Yeates. His flat isn't the first to be searched, as police has sealed off the entire block. Amongst others was that of the landlord.

Jo's frozen body was found next to a country road in Somerset. A post-mortem examination revealed she had been strangled.

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Harry Potter actress's brother jailed for attacking her

The brother of Afshan Azad (better known as Padma Patil from the Harry Potter movies) has been jailed for six months. He has been apprehended for assault on his sister, because her boyfriend was not Muslim.

Afshan had been repeatedly punched and dragged by her hair after she was overheard talking to her Hindu boyfriend. The actress had fled the home through a bedroom window. Most curious was that she pleaded court not to jail him. However, the court judge did do so, saying the sentence is not only her brother's punishment for severe domestic violence, but that domestic violence in general will not be tolerated, no matter what the circumstances may be.

Reaction: Hurray for justice! It's unbelieveable that your own family would call threathen to kill you, abuse you for long periods of time and keep doing so. However, even if I might be able to undersatnd why she does not want her brother to be jailed, I say it's a good thing the judge did. Domestic violence should never be allowed, no matter what faith nor reason.

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Two killed in hot air balloon crash in Somerset

Two men died when a hot air balloon crashed on a bowling green in Somerset. At first, there were speculations of a third fatality, but these were unfounded.

An investigation by the AAIB (Air accidents Investigation Branch) was launched looking into the circumstances of this incident to establish the cause. The AAIB appeals to anyone who have seen the balloon to speak to them. So far, witnesses have stated that flames were seen coming from the basket.

It was a devastating and terrifying scene to watch. More witnesses said their heard a whistling sound, as if a plane was coming down. When they looked up, a hot air balloon was hurtling down. When it connected to the ground, the basket was not intact and the canopy was trailing up.

Reaction: Such a sad story is not something I'm fond of sharing at the start of a New Year. I'd imagine both casualties simply wanted to celebrate 2011 and make such an exciting trip. I would never due to my (semi-conquered) fear of heights but you don't wish this to happen to anyone. It is rather fortunate the firefighters got there so soon, but it was too late.

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Lewis Hamilton says personal life affected 2010 season

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has revealed personal issues were a contributing factor to his performance last season. Hamilton was in contention for the title until the last race at Abu Dhabi, but finished fourth overall.

Hamilton reflected on 2010 while giving his top 10 songs of the year. The start of Lewis' season was affected by several changes in his personal circumstances.

Lewis Hamilton is determined to resolve any personal issues and start afresh in 2011. He definitely didn't like ending fourth, but the car is looking good, he knows he can improve this, and he claims that he himself is feeling good.

Reaction: Oh yes. New Years Resolutions. Lewis is feeling much better now. I can understand anyone who tells he had it tough for some time, but the way he makes it sound is as if he's already worked everything out even though it sounded quite severe. I don't believe it to be honest. I haven't watched the Abu Dhabi event but I was quite sure a lot more were still at large for the number one spot. And how odd that he tells this during a radio show. I'd go to a counsellor, if I would want to talk it off.

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UK government launches £5,000 electric car grant scheme

Electric cars are set to experience a breakthrough in 2011 due to a £5,000 car grant introduced by the government today, experts predict.

 Motorist will only have one car to buy as the project starts (the Mitsubishi i-MiEV) but about 9 more cars to add to that short list later. This is considered quitean event by people like Chris Paine, director of various documentaries about electric cars and others.

Electric cars run cheaper then their conventional counterparts. They have no vehicle excise duty, cheaper insurance premiums and can be charged for free at some places.

Reaction: It's a good thing to fund 'green' projects, but keep it realistic. If Oil was lend a hand and has such a firm spot, then hybrid cars are not going to make it without some help as well. I am sure that if both cars were about the same age, there would be fair competition. As it is now, the regular cars still dominate the scene. Green is good, but people think with their wallets, surely not with their dormant treeloving instincts.

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Specialist officers tackle Ford open prison riot

Specialist prison guards in body armour have been tackling rioting inmates at an open jail in West Sussex. According to the Prison Officers' Association, the violence began after staff tried to breathalyse some of the 200 prisoners.

40 prisoners started blazes around midnight and smashed windows. Firefighters were also sent to Ford prison to stop this fire. After the flames spread from one block to another, Two fire engines and 60 prison staff re-entered the site. 140 extra staff had been sent to assist at the scene.

It seemed that only two prison officers and four support staff members were on duty when the riot broke out.

Reaction: I might be a bit harsh on this one, but on the subject of humanity, I'd say these guys were given too much space. If you've been without for so long, and you have the opportunity to get a drink, you will get one. It all seems like a very loose thing, which would not have happened if the prison staff would have been a tight union. Benny Hill inspired scenes like running for a breath test is just unacceptable in my book, let alone a riot.

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Spurs boss Harry Redknapp plans David Beckham loan bid

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will try to bring David Beckham to White Hart Lane on loan from LA Galaxy in Januari

The Major League Soccer seasons starts on 15 March, letting Redknapp hope for a temporary deal. Redknapp states that they will contact LA Galaxy to see if they will let Beckham go for three months and if he wants to go himself.

David Beckham himself claims that it is unlikely for him to go as he wants to focus on his fitness. He had only returned in September after a vacancy of six months due to his Achilles tendon injury.

Redknapp believes Beckham would be fit enough to play at top level, and notes that it favors Beckham on other accounts as well. Fabio Capello, England manager, urged Beckham to come back and prove his fitness.

Reaction: Media coverage aside, Beckham hasn't played in the Premier league since his departure to Real Madrid in 2003. It might just be good for him to come back. I do understand his fitness issues though. Achilles tednons suck when it comes to healing in both short and long term.

English football is my cup of tea. They don't fake like the Spanish, they still play during the harsh winter and it's rough in a good way. If you can play in the Premier league, I say you can play almost anywhere. That being said, it might not be such a bad idea for Becks.

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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.