New Year's Resolutions 2015

It's the end of another year and I am notoriously inconsistent with resolutions. Yet again, I am making a list of aims for the upcoming year. However, this year I'm adamant that I'm not going to fail, and have set what I believe are rather realistic goals.

News: Two hostages die in Sydney siege

Three people have died in Sydney, Australia after a sixteen hour siege in a café
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An Iranian gunman held seventeen people hostage on Monday morning in a Lindt Café, which sent the centre of the city into lockdown. Some of the hostages gradually managed to escape throughout the course of the day, but commandos interfered after gunshots were fired inside the café.

News: NHS workers strike

Hundreds of thousands of NHS workers have gone on strike over pay disputes. Nurses, midwives and ambulance staff amongst others walked out for four hours at 7 o’clock this morning in England, and 8 o’clock in Northern Ireland. This will then be followed by up to six days of “work to rule” industrial action.

 

Nicola Sturgeon is right for Scotland

Alex Salmond has officially stepped down as leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party and First Minister of Scotland. On November 19^th, he was succeeded by his former Deputy: Nicola Sturgeon.

Sturgeon was the only person to put herself forward for the role of new leader of the party and country, but was nevertheless the correct choice. The first female First Minister is a popular choice amongst members, proven as she entered her first Conference as leader to a thunderous standing ovation from the audience. Her fellow MSPs agree: numerous have tweeted about their “delight” in voting for her, and Salmond has not been shy in declaring that she will be “outstanding”. Sturgeon will be very different to her predecessor: where Salmond was aggressive, sarcastic and rather divisive, she is humorous, approachable and generally more appealing to new supporters.

News: Oscar Pistorius given 5 year sentence

Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year. The Paralympic champion was also given a three year sentence, suspended for five years, for a firearms charge.

 

Taylor Swift Album Review: 1989

Long gone are the days when Taylor Swift strummed her guitar and gently sang along. Her latest album, 1989, is full of upbeat and poppy tunes, with only a couple of slower songs. Fans feared that she would have changed entirely from her old style of music, but her lyrics are as meaningful as always and each song tells a story, just like her previous four albums have been known for.

47 French words/phrases you should know

Other than the obvious “bonjour” and “merci”, there are many words or phrases that will help you when travelling to another country – phrases that you may not think to learn before you go. Here is some lingo that could make your life a bit easier whilst holidaying in France or any French-speaking country!

Why I'm voting YES for Scottish independence

The Scottish Independence referendum will take place next week, and it is a hot debate both in Scotland and in the UK right now. Polls are suggesting a very close result, and regardless of the outcome there will be significant changes in the next few years for our countries. On the 18th of September, I will be voting yes for a variety of reasons. 

News: Palestinian teen live-tweets Gaza attacks

Over 160,000 people are now following the tweets of Farah Baker: a sixteen-year-old girl who lives in Gaza, Palestine.

Farah has been tweeting daily updates of the recent war between Palestine and Israel. She posts about bombings as they happen from an innocent bystander’s point of view. The legitimacy of the account is proven by the photos and videos she posts of bombing and attacks.

News: Ebola outbreak kills 670

The largest ever outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease has hit Western Africa, killing over 670 people so far.

The first reports of the outbreak came from Guinea in February, but the disease has since spread to Liberia, who have closed their schools, and Sierra Leone, who are now under quarantine.
 

News: Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games begin

The XX Commonwealth Games officially began last night with a spectacular opening ceremony at Celtic Park in Glasgow.

40,000 spectators watched the celebrations live, which included performances from Scottish stars such as Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy McDonald, and a range of Scottish clichés – including dancing Tunnock’s teacakes, a giant Loch Ness monster inflatable and a replica of Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington statue.