Migrant Women Could be Deported if They Fail English Test, Says Cameron
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The PM has just announced plans for an English language test to all partners who join their spouse to live in UK. The examination would take place two and a half years after they have arrived on these shores. If they do not meet the required standard it could count against the person's right to remain living in the UK, and they could return to their country of origin, against their will. The PM said:...
Fear my Botany Powers! First Ever Flower Grown in Space
The Martian's space botany theme has been affirmed this week after US astronaut Scott Kelly confirmed that a zinnia plant had flowered on the International Space Station (ISS). Ridley Scott's film, due for UK release on February 8, is based on space botanist Mark Watney's incredible survival on Mars where he was able to grow and cultivate potatoes. And the concept may not be so far fetched after all. Commander Scott Kelly has announced on Twitter that the “first ever flower grown in space" has made its debut, adding:...
Alex Lodge: Weekly Report Vol. 31
By Alex Lodge (@alexlodgemusic | Insta @alexlodgemusic7) Alex Lodge is a music supervisor for film, TV and advertising at Studio 32 Music. According to the Internet, today is ‘Blue Monday’, which if you believe the tsunami of lifestyle articles flooding your timeline means that we all feel more miserable today than on any other day of the year. Admittedly, I finished this playlist before finding out about this so haven’t made any effort to counteract your inevitable feelings of emptiness with any significantly...
NHS sugar tax in hospitals to fight UK obesity crisis
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor The NHS is trying to tackle the obesity crisis in its own restaurants and vending machines. There are plans to create a sugar tax in hospitals to address the issue of the "national sugar high," which is ruining the nation's health. English hospitals will charge a higher tariff for high-sugar content snacks and drinks available in vending machines and cafes. it is hoped these inflated prices will mean staff, patients and visitors are less likely...
Talking About Race isn’t Divisive, it’s Necessary
The most baffling aspect of the recent all white Oscars nominations was not the lack of ethnic minorities. That's par for the course thanks to the ageing, mostly white and male Academy voters. The really disturbing part was reaction from some online commentators, including journalists, who criticised the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag. A common complaint came from self-styled liberals, the kind of posing social justice warriors who claim to be “colour blind”. Apparently, criticising the world's most prominent awards show for failing...
SNP MP Alison Thewliss to Campaign Against Tax Credit “Rape Clause”
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor SNP MP, Alison Thewliss, has raised her concerns about the plans to scrutinise females who have a third child due to a sexual assault. She believes it is stigmatising and has no place in the modern world. Thewliss is challenging the government's tax credit proposal requiring a woman to justify her position to avoid losing tax credits, if she has been raped. She was joined by other campaigners on Saturday in Glasgow to launch a...
62 People Own the Same as Half of the World
New Oxfam research has revealed runaway inequality has created a world where 62 people own as much as the poorest half of the world's population. The report, published ahead of the annual gathering of the world's financial and political elites in Davos, found the wealth of the poorest half of the world's population - that's 3.6 billion people - has fallen by a trillion dollars since 2010. This drop has occurred despite the global population increasing by around 400 million people during...
How to Cope With Blue Monday
By Mark Turnbull, Health and Wellbeing Practitioner Blue Monday….how does it feel? During the last full-working week in January, the Monday is said to be one of the most ‘depressing’ days of the year for many people. But why is that? The evidence behind this suggests that there are several reasons and I think it can be useful to consider them using a Cognitive Behavioural approach. Many of us will have difficult situations and problems to deal with during the post-Christmas...
100% of Under 25s in one Country Don’t Believe God Created Universe
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor A poll claims that no Icelanders under 25 think God created the Universe and over 90 per cent of the respondants believe that the big bang theory created the universe. The Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association, who commissioned the poll, said 93.9 per cent in the under 25 category were favourable to the big bang theory. None of the respondents believed that the universe had been created by God or any religious entity. 6 per cent...