Thursday, 13 December 2012
Sunday, 9 December 2012
How does society look upon these issues?
Carrying of firearms? – It’s acceptable for police in most societies however not for normal people in places like the UK. Where as in the USA it’s seen as protection of yourself.
Women wearing what they like in public? – In the UK it’s seen as acceptable as everyone has different tastes, where as in countries like India this is seen as completely disrespectful to those around you.
Freedom of expression in terms of religion? – In countries like Dubai everyone has to follow strict rules e.g. Women have to cover their bodies, fasting at certain times of the year etc. In the UK we have many different religions as we’re a multi-cultural society and so expressing your religious views is acceptable.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Independent Research
'Oldest dinosaur' found in Natural History Museum
Fossil specimen in the museum's collection identified as most likely coming from a dinosaur that lived about 245m years ago
Researchers have found what could be the earliest known dinosaur to walk the Earth lurking in the corridors of London's Natural History Museum.
A mysterious fossil specimen that has been in the museum's collection for decades has now been identified as most likely to have come from a dinosaur that lived about 245m years ago - 10 to 15m years earlier than any previously discovered examples.
The creature was about the size of a labrador dog and has been named Nyasasaurus parringtoni after southern Africa's Lake Nyasa, today called Lake Malawi, and Cambridge University's Francis Rex Parrington, who collected the specimen at a site near the lake in the 1930s.
Two features of the London fossil, together with a similar sample subsequently spotted at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, are strong evidence that the animal belongs with the dinosaurs, the researchers said.
The bone tissues in the upper arm show marks of rapid growth, common in dinosaurs, and they also have a feature known as an elongated deltopectoral crest that anchored the upper arm muscles, a feature unique to dinosaurs.
"Although we only know Nyasasaurus from fossil fragments, the anatomy of its upper arm bone and hips have features that are unique to dinosaurs, making us confident that we're dealing with an animal very close to dinosaur origin," said Barrett.
The researchers believe Nyasasaurus probably stood upright, was a metre tall at the hip, two to three metres long from head to tail, and weighed 20-60kg.
"What's really neat about this specimen is that it has a lot of history. Found in the '30s, first described in the 1950s … Now 80 years later, we're putting it all together."
The researchers plan further field work in Tanzania to find more fossils and build a better picture of the animal's anatomy.
A mysterious fossil specimen that has been in the museum's collection for decades has now been identified as most likely to have come from a dinosaur that lived about 245m years ago - 10 to 15m years earlier than any previously discovered examples.
The creature was about the size of a labrador dog and has been named Nyasasaurus parringtoni after southern Africa's Lake Nyasa, today called Lake Malawi, and Cambridge University's Francis Rex Parrington, who collected the specimen at a site near the lake in the 1930s.
"It was a case of looking at the material with a fresh pair of eyes," Paul Barrett from the Natural History Museum, who worked on the study, told Reuters. "This closes a gap in the fossil record and pushes back the existence of dinosaurs."
The London fossil was studied by researchers in the 1950s but no conclusion was reached and nothing was published, said Barrett. "It was a mystery what it was … It just became this mythical animal."Two features of the London fossil, together with a similar sample subsequently spotted at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, are strong evidence that the animal belongs with the dinosaurs, the researchers said.
The bone tissues in the upper arm show marks of rapid growth, common in dinosaurs, and they also have a feature known as an elongated deltopectoral crest that anchored the upper arm muscles, a feature unique to dinosaurs.
"Although we only know Nyasasaurus from fossil fragments, the anatomy of its upper arm bone and hips have features that are unique to dinosaurs, making us confident that we're dealing with an animal very close to dinosaur origin," said Barrett.
The researchers believe Nyasasaurus probably stood upright, was a metre tall at the hip, two to three metres long from head to tail, and weighed 20-60kg.
When it was alive, the world's continents were joined in a vast land mass called Pangaea, and the area of Tanzania where the fossils were found would have been part of the southern Pangaea that included Africa, South America, Antarctica and Australia.
Theorists have long argued there should have been dinosaurs walking the Earth in the Middle Triassic period, which ended about 237m years ago, but until now the evidence has been ambiguous, said Sterling Nesbitt at the University of Washington in Seattle who led the study, published in the journal Biology Letters.
"If the newly named Nyasasaurus parringtoni is not the earliest dinosaur, then it is the closest relative found so far," said Nesbitt."What's really neat about this specimen is that it has a lot of history. Found in the '30s, first described in the 1950s … Now 80 years later, we're putting it all together."
The researchers plan further field work in Tanzania to find more fossils and build a better picture of the animal's anatomy.
Sunday, 2 December 2012
The Law and Civil Liberties Part II
There are offences of criminal law which can lead to fines or imprisonment and are investigated by the police. Civil law is when an individual takes action through the courts to determine responsibilities or to seek damages. Civil liberties are freedoms which protect individuals from state abuse or government power. Civil liberties set limits for government so that it cannot abuse its power and interfere with the lives of its citizens In this country we enjoy certain rights such as freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, the right to due process, to a fair trial, to own property and to privacy.
1.Right to Life
2.Prohibition of torture
3.Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
4.Right to liberty and security
5.Right to a fair trial
6.No punishment without law
7.Right to respect for private and family life
8.Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
9.Freedom of expression
10.Freedom of assembly and association
11.Right to marry
CCTV cameras - the U.K has more surveillance equipment than the whole of Europe put together.
ASBOs – Anti Social Behaviour Orders restrict movements and control offenders.
Mosquito Repellers (low level sonic devices that only affect young people)
1.Right to Life
2.Prohibition of torture
3.Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
4.Right to liberty and security
5.Right to a fair trial
6.No punishment without law
7.Right to respect for private and family life
8.Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
9.Freedom of expression
10.Freedom of assembly and association
11.Right to marry
CCTV cameras - the U.K has more surveillance equipment than the whole of Europe put together.
ASBOs – Anti Social Behaviour Orders restrict movements and control offenders.
Mosquito Repellers (low level sonic devices that only affect young people)
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Independent Research
Greek debt deal sends world shares higher
(Reuters) - European shares climbed to near a three-week high and safe haven German bonds fell on Tuesday, after global lenders agreed to reduce Greek debt and release loans to keep the economy afloat.
After 12 hours of talks, they decided steps to cut Greek debt to 124 percent of gross domestic product by 2020, and promised further measures to lower it below 110 percent in 2022.
Following months of jockeying, the deal was broadly expected by markets and clears the way for Greece's euro zone neighbors and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to disburse almost 35 billion euros of aid next month.
European shares on the FTSEurofirst 300 index finance/markets/index?symbol=gb%21FTPP">.FTEU3
The MSCI index of global stocks .MIWD00000PUS was up 0.2 percent and U.S. futures prices pointed to a higher open on Wall Street when trading resumes.
"After three meetings this months and a total of more than 24 hours of discussing and negotiating, the euro zone countries have put their money where their mouth is," said ING economist Carsten Brzeski.
"The political will to reward the Greek austerity and reform measures has already been there for a while. Now, this political will has finally been supplemented by financial support."
On the currency markets, the euro hit $1.3010, its highest level since October 31, during Asian trading but lost momentum and was 0.3 percent down at $1.29445 by mid-morning in Europe.
"While the EU/IMF agreement on Greece is EUR-supportive, it was widely expected and hence the market reaction is likely to remain muted. We maintain our buy on dips strategy," Morgan Stanley's FX strategy team wrote in a note to clients.
Elsewhere the dollar was broadly flat against a basket of key currencies .DXY, while the yen slipped after Japan's opposition leader and likely next prime minister reiterated calls for bolder monetary and fiscal stimulus.
COMMODITIES UP
The Greek deal also helped commodity markets with copper rising to a near one month high of $7,791.50 a tonne and oil inching up 11 cents to $111.05 a barrel.
After an initial post-deal jump, gold <GOL/> steadied back at around $1,750 an ounce.
On the euro zone bond market, safe haven German government bonds fell, with benchmark Bunds down over 40 ticks at 142.00 compared with 142.43 at Monday's settlement. Ten year Greek yields remained near lows last seen when the country's debt was restructured in March.
"Bunds are falling simply because the market is relieved we have a deal now and the tail risk of a Greek accident has been taken out," said Michael Leister, a senior rate strategist at Commerzbank.
With doubts about Greece being able to hit its growth and debt cutting targets, few analysts expect the latest agreement to be the final chapter in the euro zone's three-year crisis.
Underscoring the concerns, the OECD slashed its global growth forecasts on Tuesday, saying the euro zone's troubles were the greatest threat to the world economy.
"(The Greek deal) is not the green light for a sustained rally for risk assets across the board. As we've seen before, once the market starts scrutinizing some of the details some doubts may well arise," added Commerzbank's Leister.
In Asian trading, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS gained 0.6 percent to a near three-week high, led by a 1 percent advance in Korean shares .KS11 and a 0.7 percent rise in Australian shares .AXJO. Indian shares .BSESN also jumped 1.2 percent.
Shanghai shares .SSEC bucked the trend to fall 1 percent to their lowest since 2009, dragged by weakness in growth-sensitive companies.
Monday, 26 November 2012
Law and Civil Liberties
A new law can be proposed by Parliament or any MP or Lord. Before it is approved a proposal for a new law is called a bill, which has to be presented and explained before being passed on to the House of Commons and House of Lords. The two houses will discuss and usually agree with each other on whether they should approve it or not. If it is not approved, that is the end of the bill. If they approve it, it will be passed to the Monarchy where the queen will decide if she approves of it or not (which she usually does).
Civil liberties are the idea that you have freedom of speech, freedom of religion. This means you are allowed to have your own opinion and you don't have to be pressured by Parliament or pressure groups. (Human rights).
Does the law protect or restrict?
CCTV cameras - can protect us mainly as it can be used as evidence in court cases when you have been a victim to violence, which makes criminals think twice about committing crimes if they are aware there is a camera watching them.
ASBOs - restricts devious members of public from committing offences.
Mosquito Repellers - restricts young members of public from committing ASBO worthy offences.
Civil liberties are the idea that you have freedom of speech, freedom of religion. This means you are allowed to have your own opinion and you don't have to be pressured by Parliament or pressure groups. (Human rights).
Does the law protect or restrict?
CCTV cameras - can protect us mainly as it can be used as evidence in court cases when you have been a victim to violence, which makes criminals think twice about committing crimes if they are aware there is a camera watching them.
ASBOs - restricts devious members of public from committing offences.
Mosquito Repellers - restricts young members of public from committing ASBO worthy offences.
Death Penalty
Death penalty is it right?
Cons: If the victim is not guilty then the punishment cannot be taken back, and an innocent death has been caused. Also, the person that committed murder may have a serious mental illness and need care rather than to be killed just as a form of justice. Also, killing someone for murder is just as bad as the crime they commit not resolving the issue and going against the right to live. The death penalty is more expensive to resolve than keeping someone in prison and this money should not be wasted on unworthy people especially when the outcome is death.
Pros: The system can be failing, as many of the convicts have a better and safer life in prison and this isn't really a high enough level of punishment. Also the death penalty would act as a deterrent and make crime figures decrease. Overall I am strongly against the death penalty and feel that it should not be legalised as the cons outweigh the pros by a mile.
Cons: If the victim is not guilty then the punishment cannot be taken back, and an innocent death has been caused. Also, the person that committed murder may have a serious mental illness and need care rather than to be killed just as a form of justice. Also, killing someone for murder is just as bad as the crime they commit not resolving the issue and going against the right to live. The death penalty is more expensive to resolve than keeping someone in prison and this money should not be wasted on unworthy people especially when the outcome is death.
Pros: The system can be failing, as many of the convicts have a better and safer life in prison and this isn't really a high enough level of punishment. Also the death penalty would act as a deterrent and make crime figures decrease. Overall I am strongly against the death penalty and feel that it should not be legalised as the cons outweigh the pros by a mile.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Research 7
Australia joins death penalty opposition
AUSTRALIA is among a record 110 countries which have backed a resolution voted on every two years at a UN General Assembly committee calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
The vote tears apart traditional alliances at the United Nations. The United States, Japan, China, Iran, India, North Korea, Syria and Zimbabwe were among 39 countries to oppose the non-binding resolution in the assembly's rights committee. Thirty-six countries abstained.
Israel voted against its strong US-ally to join Australia, European Union nations, Brazil and South Africa among major countries backing the motion.
Norway, which played a leading role campaigning for the resolution, said on its Twitter account that the increased support was a "great result".
At the last vote in 2010, 107 countries backed the resolution.
France's new Socialist government has launched a campaign with other abolitionist states to get the full General Assembly to pass a resolution in December calling for a death penalty moratorium. Though such a resolution would be non-binding, diplomats say it would increase moral pressure.
A world congress against the death penalty is to be held in Madrid in June.
According to the United Nations, about 150 countries have either abolished capital punishment or have instituted a moratorium.
Amnesty International says that China executed "thousands" of prisoners in 2011 though exact figures are hard to determine. It says that other countries put to death at least 680 people with Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia major users of capital punishment.
Amnesty says that progress is slowly being made however. Even in the United States, Illinois last year became the 16th US state to abolish the death penalty.
AUSTRALIA is among a record 110 countries which have backed a resolution voted on every two years at a UN General Assembly committee calling for the abolition of the death penalty.
The vote tears apart traditional alliances at the United Nations. The United States, Japan, China, Iran, India, North Korea, Syria and Zimbabwe were among 39 countries to oppose the non-binding resolution in the assembly's rights committee. Thirty-six countries abstained.
Israel voted against its strong US-ally to join Australia, European Union nations, Brazil and South Africa among major countries backing the motion.
Norway, which played a leading role campaigning for the resolution, said on its Twitter account that the increased support was a "great result".
At the last vote in 2010, 107 countries backed the resolution.
France's new Socialist government has launched a campaign with other abolitionist states to get the full General Assembly to pass a resolution in December calling for a death penalty moratorium. Though such a resolution would be non-binding, diplomats say it would increase moral pressure.
A world congress against the death penalty is to be held in Madrid in June.
According to the United Nations, about 150 countries have either abolished capital punishment or have instituted a moratorium.
Amnesty International says that China executed "thousands" of prisoners in 2011 though exact figures are hard to determine. It says that other countries put to death at least 680 people with Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia major users of capital punishment.
Amnesty says that progress is slowly being made however. Even in the United States, Illinois last year became the 16th US state to abolish the death penalty.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Pros & Cons of the Death Penalty
- Pros:
- Financial costs to taxpayers of capital punishment is several times that of keeping someone in prison for life.
- It is barbaric and violates the "cruel and unusual" clause in the Bill of Rights.
- The endless appeals and required additional procedures clog our court system.
- We as a society have to move away from the "eye for an eye" revenge mentality if civilization is to advance.
- It sends the wrong message: why kill people who kill people to show killing is wrong.
Cons
- The death penalty gives closure to the victim's families who have suffered so much.
- It creates another form of crime deterrent.
- Justice is better served.
- Our justice system shows more sympathy for criminals than it does victims.
- It provides a deterrent for prisoners already serving a life sentence.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Religous beliefs and their effect on Society
republic - a state or country that is not led by a hereditary monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people) have impact on its government. e.g Ireland
Dictatorship - Absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors. e.g Zimbabwe
Democracy- A form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system. e.g. Spain
Absolute monarchy - A monarchical form of government where the king and queen have absolute power over everything. e.g. Vatican
Constitutional monarchy - A form of constitutional government, wherein either an elected or hereditary monarch is the head of state, unlike in an absolute monarchy, wherein the king or the queen is the sole source of political power, as he or she is not legally bound by the national constitution. e.g. UK
Secular government- A NON RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT
non Secular government- A RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT
problems with a secular government:
difficulties with having more than one religion in a society:
What is Sharia law?
is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics, and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer, and fasting.
Dictatorship - Absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors. e.g Zimbabwe
Democracy- A form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system. e.g. Spain
Absolute monarchy - A monarchical form of government where the king and queen have absolute power over everything. e.g. Vatican
Constitutional monarchy - A form of constitutional government, wherein either an elected or hereditary monarch is the head of state, unlike in an absolute monarchy, wherein the king or the queen is the sole source of political power, as he or she is not legally bound by the national constitution. e.g. UK
Secular government- A NON RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT
non Secular government- A RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT
problems with a secular government:
- moral/ethical issues in society as some people may be religious.
- cause conflict.
- difficult for religious people e.g. taxes, homosexuality
difficulties with having more than one religion in a society:
- sharing land for places of worship.
- dieting rules
- conflict
- racism
- mixed marriages, could lead to honour killings.
What is Sharia law?
is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics, and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer, and fasting.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Research 6
Mitt Romney's Welsh relatives await US election results
By Sam Marsden Last Updated: 11:32AM GMT 06/11/2012
The US presidential election is more about family than politics for the Welsh relations of Mitt Romney's wife.
Ann Romney, 63, is proud of her roots as the granddaughter of a Glamorgan coalminer and played up her working class origins on the campaign trail in an effort to counter accusations that her husband's vast wealth meant he did not understand ordinary voters' concerns.
She has made regular trips back to see her family in South Wales, most recently this summer, and they have taken a great personal interest from afar in the twists and turns of this year's election.
Jeffrey Smith, 65, a second cousin of Mrs Romney, will tonight for the first time in his life stay up to watch the results from the American poll come in.
He stressed that he did not want to pronounce an opinion on US politics but said he would be proud for a member of his family to enter the White House.
"I'm not taking sides. It's not my country – it's not fair to comment on somebody else's politics. But I would like to see him get in for Ann's sake," he said.
"I did follow it four years ago, but when he dropped out and didn't get the nomination my interest did tend to wane a bit. I have followed it with intensity this year because of the family connection." Mr Smith, a semi-retired tax adviser from Llangynwyd, South Wales, last saw Mrs Romney in early August when she attended a family tea party hosted by another second cousin, Roddy Evans, 77, a former Wales and British Lions rugby player, at his home in the seaside resort of Porthcawl.
"Not a political tea party like they have in the States," he joked.
Mrs Romney was able to visit Wales this summer without a security entourage, but she spoke at the three-hour gathering of how her life would change if she became America's First Lady.
Mr Smith recalled: "She said her private life would be dominated by security – she wouldn't be able to do certain things, she would have so many people around her.
"He would be regarded as the most powerful man in the world, so security goes hand in hand with that." Mrs Romney's grandfather, David Davies, lost a kidney in a mining accident and left the village of Nantyffyllon, near Bridgend, during the Great Depression in around 1929 to build a better life in America with his wife Annie and their children.
She has maintained ties with her heritage, serving homemade Welsh cakes to journalists following her husband's election campaign and even speaking a few words of Welsh that her grandmother taught her.
Mr Smith agreed it would be incredible for the granddaughter of a coalminer who lived in a two-up, two-down house in Nantyffyllon to end up as America's First Lady.
He added: "I can't see how it's going to have any effect on us in Wales, but it will be nice to know that a relative is in the White House." There is rather less enthusiasm for the US election among the British relations of Mr Romney, 65, whose great-great-grandfather, Miles Romney, was born in Dalton-in-Furness in present-day Cumbria in 1806, became a Mormon in Preston in the late 1830s, and sailed with his family to America in 1841.
Mr Romney's fourth cousin twice removed, Maria Nash, 32, who lives in Preston, suggested that Barack Obama would make a better president, adding: "If Romney does get in, I wonder how long it will be before he makes a mess of it." Her husband Simon Nash, 54, said: "He's not really our politics. We're normal Lancashire folk – we just want everything fair for everyone. He's not visited any of the family. He hasn't stepped foot out of London.
By Sam Marsden Last Updated: 11:32AM GMT 06/11/2012
The US presidential election is more about family than politics for the Welsh relations of Mitt Romney's wife.
Ann Romney, 63, is proud of her roots as the granddaughter of a Glamorgan coalminer and played up her working class origins on the campaign trail in an effort to counter accusations that her husband's vast wealth meant he did not understand ordinary voters' concerns.
She has made regular trips back to see her family in South Wales, most recently this summer, and they have taken a great personal interest from afar in the twists and turns of this year's election.
Jeffrey Smith, 65, a second cousin of Mrs Romney, will tonight for the first time in his life stay up to watch the results from the American poll come in.
He stressed that he did not want to pronounce an opinion on US politics but said he would be proud for a member of his family to enter the White House.
"I'm not taking sides. It's not my country – it's not fair to comment on somebody else's politics. But I would like to see him get in for Ann's sake," he said.
"I did follow it four years ago, but when he dropped out and didn't get the nomination my interest did tend to wane a bit. I have followed it with intensity this year because of the family connection." Mr Smith, a semi-retired tax adviser from Llangynwyd, South Wales, last saw Mrs Romney in early August when she attended a family tea party hosted by another second cousin, Roddy Evans, 77, a former Wales and British Lions rugby player, at his home in the seaside resort of Porthcawl.
"Not a political tea party like they have in the States," he joked.
Mrs Romney was able to visit Wales this summer without a security entourage, but she spoke at the three-hour gathering of how her life would change if she became America's First Lady.
Mr Smith recalled: "She said her private life would be dominated by security – she wouldn't be able to do certain things, she would have so many people around her.
"He would be regarded as the most powerful man in the world, so security goes hand in hand with that." Mrs Romney's grandfather, David Davies, lost a kidney in a mining accident and left the village of Nantyffyllon, near Bridgend, during the Great Depression in around 1929 to build a better life in America with his wife Annie and their children.
She has maintained ties with her heritage, serving homemade Welsh cakes to journalists following her husband's election campaign and even speaking a few words of Welsh that her grandmother taught her.
Mr Smith agreed it would be incredible for the granddaughter of a coalminer who lived in a two-up, two-down house in Nantyffyllon to end up as America's First Lady.
He added: "I can't see how it's going to have any effect on us in Wales, but it will be nice to know that a relative is in the White House." There is rather less enthusiasm for the US election among the British relations of Mr Romney, 65, whose great-great-grandfather, Miles Romney, was born in Dalton-in-Furness in present-day Cumbria in 1806, became a Mormon in Preston in the late 1830s, and sailed with his family to America in 1841.
Mr Romney's fourth cousin twice removed, Maria Nash, 32, who lives in Preston, suggested that Barack Obama would make a better president, adding: "If Romney does get in, I wonder how long it will be before he makes a mess of it." Her husband Simon Nash, 54, said: "He's not really our politics. We're normal Lancashire folk – we just want everything fair for everyone. He's not visited any of the family. He hasn't stepped foot out of London.
Monday, 22 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Research 5
Starbucks 'paid just £8.6m UK tax in 14 years'
16 October 2012
US coffee giant Starbucks reportedly paid just £8.6m in corporation tax in the UK over 14 years.
The four-month investigation by news agency Reuters also found the firm had paid nothing in the last three years.
Starbucks UK reported losses so did not have to pay corporation tax, but told investors that it was "profitable".
"We have paid and will continue to pay our fair share of taxes in full compliance with all UK tax laws, as we always have," Starbucks said.
definitions
facts- A thing that is indisputably the case.
opinions- A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
theory- A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
research- The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
prediction- A thing predicted; a forecast.
argument- An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one: "I've had an argument with my father".
analogy- A comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
reduction- The action or fact of making a specified thing smaller or less in amount, degree, or size: "a reduction in the number of casualties".
reflection- The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.
principle of simplicity- Occam's razor (or Ockham's razor) is often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae (translating to the law of parsimony, law of economy or law of succinctness). The principle is popularly interpreted as "the simplest explanation is usually the correct one".
principle of causality- Causality is the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is a consequence of the first.
principle of reliability- An accounting rule that helps make sure that accounting records and statements use the most accurate information available.
principle of utility- If an act or rule is right, it will produce the greatest happiness or the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
human rights- A right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person.
parole- The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour.
opinions- A view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
theory- A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
research- The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
prediction- A thing predicted; a forecast.
argument- An exchange of diverging or opposite views, typically a heated or angry one: "I've had an argument with my father".
analogy- A comparison between two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
reduction- The action or fact of making a specified thing smaller or less in amount, degree, or size: "a reduction in the number of casualties".
reflection- The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.
principle of simplicity- Occam's razor (or Ockham's razor) is often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae (translating to the law of parsimony, law of economy or law of succinctness). The principle is popularly interpreted as "the simplest explanation is usually the correct one".
principle of causality- Causality is the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is a consequence of the first.
principle of reliability- An accounting rule that helps make sure that accounting records and statements use the most accurate information available.
principle of utility- If an act or rule is right, it will produce the greatest happiness or the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
secular society- A secular society is a society that runs on a non-religious basis. In other words, legislators and government officials are generally barred from imposing laws or policies with the intent of furthering a particular religious agenda.
human rights- A right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person.
parole- The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour.
Monday, 8 October 2012
Is nuclear power good or bad?
I believe that nuclear power is good and bad. I think it is bad as it causes radio active pollution in the atmosphere which can cause people to get cancer, it also can destroy a lot of people.
However I believe that it is also good as it helps produce a lot of energy and electricity for the world. it also gives some countries a sense of defence as they might have nuclear bombs which is a very big bomb.
Nuclear plants are more expensive to build and maintain.
However I believe that it is also good as it helps produce a lot of energy and electricity for the world. it also gives some countries a sense of defence as they might have nuclear bombs which is a very big bomb.
Advantages of nuclear energy
- Almost zero emissions (very low greenhouse gas emissions).
- They can be sited almost anywhere unlike oil which is mostly imported.
- The plants almost never experience problems if not from human error, which almost never happens anyway because the plant only needs a small group to operate it.
- A small amount of matter creates a large amount of energy.
- A lot of energy is generated from a single power plant.
Disadvantages of nuclear energy
Nuclear plants are more expensive to build and maintain.
- Proliferation concerns - breeder reactors yield products that could potentially be stolen and turned into an atomic weapon.
- Early nuclear research and experimentation has created massive contamination problems that are still uncontained.
- A lot of waste from early reactors was stored in containers meant for only a few decades, but is well past expiration resulting in leaks are furthering contamination.
- Nuclear power plants can be dangerous to its surroundings and employees. It would cost a lot to clean in case of spillages.
Research 4
April Jones: Suspect Mark Bridger weeps as he appears in court
charged with her murder
- Angry mob gathers outside
- Bridger
remanded in custody
The former lifeguard accused of the abduction and murder
of five-year-old April Jones wept as he appeared in court today.
Mark Bridger cried to himself as he confirmed his name,
age and address, and that he understood the charges.
Bridger is accused of abducting and murdering April, and
of unlawfully disposing of and concealing of her body with intent to pervert
the course of justice.
There were angry scenes outside Aberystwyth Magistrates'
Court as the police van Bridger was in was punched and kicked while members of
the crowd shouted "Scum" and "F****** kill him".
During the four-minute hearing Bridger, who wore a blue
jumper, was remanded in custody to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on
Wednesday.
The unshaven 46-year-old did not make eye contact with anyone,
but answered "yes" when asked if he had understood each charge.
He also confirmed his date of birth as November 6, 1965,
and his Mount Pleasant farmhouse address in the village Ceinws.
Neither district crown prosecutor Iwan Jenkins, or John
Hedgecoe, defending Bridger, were called on to speak during the brief hearing.
April was last seen near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate
in the mid-Wales town of Machynlleth last Monday evening. Bridger was arrested
the following day, but the search for April's body goes on.
The five-year-old was last seen getting into what is
believed to have been a Land Rover Discovery last Monday evening.
Her parents Coral Jones, 40, and husband Paul, 44, had
allowed her to play out late as a treat after she received a glowing school
report that day at a parents' evening which Bridger also attended.
Bridger, who owns a Discovery, was arrested last Tuesday
afternoon and was charged on Saturday.
The case sparked an outpouring of support for April's
parents, with hundreds of people joining in the search and offering their
assistance.
Tonight April's family will release a Chinese lantern from
their garden in Machynlleth, and have asked friends, neighbours, and anyone
else across the country to light a small candle at the same time to remember
her.
Yesterday more than 700 people packed into Machynlleth's
St Peter's Church to attend an emotional service.
Reverend Kathleen Rogers, who led the moving sermon, said
prayers for April's parents and paid tribute to the community who had pulled
together to help in the search.
She read a touching poem on behalf of April's mother
called "Mum" as the Bishop of Bangor, Reverend Andy John, said the
tight-knit community had "touched the heart of people around the
world".
He revealed that emails had been received from as far
afield as South Africa and New Zealand - with a church in Texas even making a
donation.
Mountain rescue teams were stood down last night as the search
operation switched emphasis.
But the hunt continued today, with investigating officers
revealing police numbers on the ground were doubled this morning.
Night-time search efforts have been suspended, with the
shift in manpower being described as a change of "resources rather
intensity".
Superintendent Ian John, who was in court for Bridger's
hearing this morning, paid tribute to mountain rescue volunteers "who have
worked themselves to a standstill in the search for April".
Mr John, who has led the search for the missing
schoolgirl, said: "We are upping our numbers to 18 teams which will be
over 100 officers."
Welsh Secretary David Jones also hailed the
"tremendous community spirit" of the people of Machynlleth.
Addressing the Conservative Party conference, he asked
activists in Birmingham to "spare a few thoughts today for April Jones,
her family and the officers of Dyfed-Powys Police and the search and rescue
services".
"Most particularly, could I ask you to think about
the people of Machynlleth who, over the last seven really harrowing days, have
displayed such tremendous community spirit," he said.
Research 3
Usain
Bolt plans to defend Olympic sprint titles in Rio
Nuclear Fusion
A nuclear reaction in which two light nuclei (such as hydrogen) combine to form a heavier nuclei (such as helium).
Nuclear Fission
A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus (such as uranium) splits into two lighter nuclei (and possible some other radioactive particles as well).
Genetic Modification
The manipulation of the genetic material of an organism to produce desired traits, such as nutritional quality, photosynthetic efficiency and herbicide resistance.
Friday, 5 October 2012
Monday, 1 October 2012
Research 2
Increase
in the number of unemployed graduates
An increasing number of university graduates are failing to find
work, with almost half still unemployed after three months, according to new
research from council leaders.
Research by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals the number of graduates in full-time
work has fallen to 51%, compared with 57% in 2003. The number of graduates
going into part-time work is also increasing, going from 7% to 11% in the same
time period.
The figures also show that there is huge variation between regions
due to variable job opportunities. Out of the 20 areas with the lowest
proportion of graduates in full-time employment, 17 are in London. The capital
has more highly skilled jobs so attracts a higher number of university leavers
looking for work.
The LGA is calling on Government to give councils and employers
greater powers so they can match skills training with the jobs available in local
labour markets.
Peter Box, chairman of the LGA’s Economy and Transport Board, said: ‘Councils
and employers best understand their local labour markets, and we want to work
with universities to ensure graduates are not only equipped to take local jobs
but that we are able harness their talent to drive growth in our economies. We
need to ensure that the skills people have make a better match with the jobs
that are being created in a local area.
‘Failure to get this
right is not only disastrous for young people, but for taxpayers too. Young
people who are trying to get on the career ladder are instead finding
themselves without a job and potentially falling into long-term unemployment.
This can have scarring effects that last a lifetime and have a huge cost to the
taxpayer in welfare and benefits.’
authorities
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience: "he had absolute authority over his subordinates".
scientific revolution
The scientific revolution refers to the rapid advances in European scientific, mathematical, and political thought, based on a new philosophy of empiricism and a faith in progress that defined Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
research 1
iPhone 5 Features, Release Date: Apple Maps Isn't the Only Problem, Analysts Weigh In
Books & Review | Cole Garner Hill
Updated: Sep 26, 2012 01:36 PM EDT
(Photo : Reuters) The iPhone 5 on display after its introduction during Apple Inc.'s iPhone media event in San Francisco
The only thing bigger than Apple's iPhone 5 since its release last week has been the rising wave of unmet expectations from analysts and buyers. Users have chided the company for everything from phones arriving pre-scuffed/scratched out-of-the-box to the failure of Apple Maps.
"In my opinion it would have been better to retain our maps," Google CEO Eric Schmidt said, according to the Wall Street Journal. "It's their decision, I'll let them describe it."
Like Us on Facebook
The fallout over Apple Maps has come hard and fast. And now, after some analysts initially predicted first weekend sales of the iPhone 5 to hit 10 million, so too has the criticism of the real demand for Apple's latest smartphone.
Barclay's Ben Reitzes says the iPhone 5 is seeing significant constraints, just as they expected. "We believe the key issue in today's shipment data is in-cell supply constraints," says Reitzes.
"Today's announcement fits with our view that Apple would only be able to ship limited quantities in the September quarter; we expect a solid production ramp and improved availability in C4Q12. Our Asia team believes Apple has improved the sensitivity of its in-cell screens via a firmware update. As a result the visibility for iPhone 5 has improved and we believe there is less downside risk to production numbers going forward."
Apple CEO Tim Cook released a more positive assessment.
"Demand for iPhone 5 has been incredible and we are working hard to get an iPhone 5 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible," Cook said in a statement. "While we have sold out of our initial supply, stores continue to receive iPhone 5 shipments regularly and customers can continue to order online and receive an estimated delivery date. We appreciate everyone's patience and are working hard to build enough iPhone 5s for everyone."
Many other analysts clearly share this view. Pointing to Apple's intentional initial limitation of iPhone 5 supplies in stores and noting peculiarities in how the figures are exactly calculated.
Topeka Capital's Brian White said, "This morning, Apple announced that iPhone 5 sales exceeded 5 million during the first three days of retail availability and below our expectations (we were at the lower end of expectations). We believe this shortfall is largely due to supply availability and the fact that most consumers are opting for the pre-order option. We remain aggressive buyers of Apple on any weakness in the stock price this morning as we believe Apple has another blockbuster on its hands with the iPhone 5 and we expect the 'iPad Mini' to launch in the coming weeks."
Even with Apple's record-breaking iPhone sales announcement, some still see huge barriers in its path to seeing the kind of sales the company is obviously lusting after.
Besides Apple Maps, PC Mag says the real problem with the iPhone 5 is its unreasonable contracts.
"It is simply not that easy to get an iPhone 5 unless you can manage to get out of that onerous contract with your iPhone 4S, which doesn't seem to be the case for many people," said PC Mag. "If Apple wants to follow an automotive "model year" marketing scheme for these devices, there has to be an easy way to trade up, otherwise it won't work out. This is the real problem-not the maps."
All certainly high obstacles for Apple, though, looking at history, we'd place our bets on the company figuring all of this out sooner than later. It seems impossible that Apple isn't currently working on some scheme to either replace Maps or at the very least vastly improve on its many blunders. For now, chalk up the unmet expectations for ludicrously high sales to equally unnaturally high expectations for the iPhone in general.
Merrill Lynch analyst Scott Craig remains optimistic for the iPhone 5's future. "We believe most were expecting 6-10mn units over the first weekend, which, in our view, at the high end, did not fully take into consideration the limited initial supply," says Craig. "We believe overall demand remains strong and our estimates reflect most of these supply constraints, leading us to maintain our Buy rating and our above-consensus estimates."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)