Just because Nicole Richie is a reality TV star doesn’t mean she can’t also write. In fact, she claims to write every morning, before her family wakes up, and said last year that she writes “all my own stories.” How else do you think she’d have had two books published?…
Continue reading …Jill Abramson will become the New York Times ‘ first female executive editor in 160 years, succeeding Bill Keller, who is leaving the post to write full-time for the paper. Abramson, a former investigative reporter and Washington bureau chief, has served as managing editor since 2003. Born and raised in…
Continue reading …Ratko Mladic’s lawyer says he can prove the suspected war criminal has cancer. Milos Saljic showed the AP a copy of a 2009 document that purports to show that Mladic was treated at a Serbian hospital between April and July of that year, and that he was diagnosed with lymph…
Continue reading …Firefighters extinguish blaze after explosion at the Chevron plant in Pembroke Dock, south-west Wales Two people have been killed in a major explosion at an oil refinery in south-west Wales. It is understood that two petrol tankers collided inside the Chevron plant in Pembroke Dock, killing both the drivers. One of the tankers was completely destroyed in the explosion, according to Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service. A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics had dealt with casualties at the scene and the air ambulance was deployed. Because of the heat of the flames, it is not yet certain how many people have been hurt, he added. A Mid and West Wales fire and rescue service spokeswoman said the fires had been extinguished. She added that the other tanker was damaged in the blast and was being examined by fire crews. “It was a major fire and we have 26 firefighters there and 16 specialist crew,” the spokeswoman said. She added that there had so far been no oil spillage or environmental damage. Staff at Milford Haven Coastguard, which is based across a stretch of water from the refinery, heard an explosion and saw a plume of black smoke, which is now dying down. A spokesman said: “There was a bang that was heard and there was smoke billowing.” A spokesman for Chevron said: “At 18:20 local time on June 2 2011 an incident occurred at the Pembroke Refinery. “Emergency services were called and responded immediately and remain on the scene. The fire has been extinguished. “We are taking appropriate action to respond to the situation. We are still in the process of accounting for all personnel.” The Pembroke Dock refinery specialises in processing heavy, lower quality crude oil. Wales Oil and gas companies Oil Chevron David Batty guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …It’s a hot question these days: Is college worth it? But writing for the Los Angeles Times, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa don’t beat the same old “expensive! bad job market!” angle into the ground. Instead they wonder if it’s worth it because it’s just becoming so darn easy to…
Continue reading …Oxfordshire cuts test ‘big society’ as librarians are replaced with volunteers
June 2, 2011 No Comment
Professional staff also to be removed from libraries in David Cameron and culture minister Ed Vaizey’s constituencies David Cameron’s faith in the “big society” is to be put to the test after Oxfordshire county council announced that professional staff are to be removed from six libraries in his Witney constituency, leaving them to be staffed by volunteers. The culture minister Ed Vaizey will also see two libraries in his neighbouring constituency of Wantage stripped of staff by the Conservative-controlled county council, leaving a mix of volunteers and professional staff to run them. The council has decided to keep only 22 of the constituency’s 43 libraries fully staffed, but had planned to close 20. Cameron will be relieved that libraries are to be kept open in Banbury, Chipping Norton and Witney within his constituency. Oxfordshire council insists it did not make its decisions on the basis of political lobbying by prominent local MPs, but according to where people live, work, shop and study. There will be a four-month consultation on the libraries plan, with no changes until the start of the next financial year in April. The initial plan to close libraries outright led to a wave of protests including some involving authors such as Philip Pullman, Colin Dexter and Mark Haddon. The shadow libraries minister Gloria De Piero said: “Volunteers have a role to play in libraries, but I would be amazed if you could run libraries by volunteers alone. It is a professional job. “I have asked Vaizey whether he has any plans to run the House of Commons library through volunteers, and he has not replied so I presume he realises he does not.” She claimed there were signs of another wave of closures following the local elections. Oxfordshire council leader Keith Mitchell insisted he would have to find savings elsewhere, admitting libraries seem to be the one thing that people value above youth services, roads, social care and vulnerable children. “It’s a peculiarly British thing, because most of them haven’t been near a library in years. Like the pub and church in their village or town, they don’t want to see them go. “It will mean a bit less money for highways or adult social care, but realistically we can’t go around stopping other cuts from happening, because the country is broke.” He told the Oxford Times : “Personally, I’m disappointed people do not rate social care – old people with dementia and young disabled kids – a bit more highly, but they don’t, most likely because they have no experience of that, but they walk past their library on the high street most weeks.” The website Public Libraries News claims that of 4,517 libraries across the UK, 460 (391 in buildings and 69 mobile) are under threat. Councils are required by law to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” service under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. Communities David Cameron Ed Vaizey Conservatives Patrick Wintour guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Oxfordshire cuts test ‘big society’ as librarians are replaced with volunteers
June 2, 2011 No Comment
Professional staff also to be removed from libraries in David Cameron and culture minister Ed Vaizey’s constituencies David Cameron’s faith in the “big society” is to be put to the test after Oxfordshire county council announced that professional staff are to be removed from six libraries in his Witney constituency, leaving them to be staffed by volunteers. The culture minister Ed Vaizey will also see two libraries in his neighbouring constituency of Wantage stripped of staff by the Conservative-controlled county council, leaving a mix of volunteers and professional staff to run them. The council has decided to keep only 22 of the constituency’s 43 libraries fully staffed, but had planned to close 20. Cameron will be relieved that libraries are to be kept open in Banbury, Chipping Norton and Witney within his constituency. Oxfordshire council insists it did not make its decisions on the basis of political lobbying by prominent local MPs, but according to where people live, work, shop and study. There will be a four-month consultation on the libraries plan, with no changes until the start of the next financial year in April. The initial plan to close libraries outright led to a wave of protests including some involving authors such as Philip Pullman, Colin Dexter and Mark Haddon. The shadow libraries minister Gloria De Piero said: “Volunteers have a role to play in libraries, but I would be amazed if you could run libraries by volunteers alone. It is a professional job. “I have asked Vaizey whether he has any plans to run the House of Commons library through volunteers, and he has not replied so I presume he realises he does not.” She claimed there were signs of another wave of closures following the local elections. Oxfordshire council leader Keith Mitchell insisted he would have to find savings elsewhere, admitting libraries seem to be the one thing that people value above youth services, roads, social care and vulnerable children. “It’s a peculiarly British thing, because most of them haven’t been near a library in years. Like the pub and church in their village or town, they don’t want to see them go. “It will mean a bit less money for highways or adult social care, but realistically we can’t go around stopping other cuts from happening, because the country is broke.” He told the Oxford Times : “Personally, I’m disappointed people do not rate social care – old people with dementia and young disabled kids – a bit more highly, but they don’t, most likely because they have no experience of that, but they walk past their library on the high street most weeks.” The website Public Libraries News claims that of 4,517 libraries across the UK, 460 (391 in buildings and 69 mobile) are under threat. Councils are required by law to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” service under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. Communities David Cameron Ed Vaizey Conservatives Patrick Wintour guardian.co.uk
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Government report into sexualisation of childhood set to propose tougher regulations on retail, advertising and video industry Tighter regulations on sexualised music videos and a single portal for parents to complain about products that are inappropriate for children are to be proposed by a government report into the sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood. The chief theme of the report will be the empowerment of parents to complain about inappropriate material, including advertising, partly by offering an easier way through the current confusing fog of regulatory bodies. The report has been commissioned by David Cameron from Reg Bailey, the chief executive of the Mothers’ Union and a long term critic of premature sexualisation, and it is due to be published on Monday. Bailey is likely to give the retail, advertising and video industry 18 months to improve their act voluntarily or face tougher government regulation. He is also expected to demand some regulatory bodies such as Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority do more to ensure they seek the views of parents on what is acceptable to show to children. Bailey The report is also set to criticise the growth of peer to peer marketing, where companies hire teenagers to sell or promote products in school. Bailey has been armed with devastating research findings showing parents are very worried at what they see as the premature sexualisation of children by industries, including some high-street retailers eager to tap a profitable market, and as a result make children more sensitive about their appearance. Next, FCUK and Top Shop have all produced adult styling in mini sizes. Cameron has already urged Bailey in public to come up with tough findings. Critics will complain that the government is trying to recreate a Victorian image of childhood that takes no account of how the digital age has transformed childhood irrevocably. Ofcom has been criticised for being out of touch over sanctioning the use of sexualsied images on X Factor. The review has already led bodies such as the ASA and the BPI, responsible for the music industry, to make pre-emptive efforts to show they are aware of the criticism of the way they currently operate. The ASA has promised to set up an advisory body, as well as regulate advertising on company websites. The music industry is expected to be told to put some kind of advisory age rating such as films have on music videos. Earlier this week the pop star Rihanna was unrepentant for filming a music video in which she shoots someone who raped her. She has faced massive criticism from parent groups in America . Critics are likely to argue that in practice these music videos go out on TV and parents will unable to stand over their children and prevent them watiching them. | Latest figures sent to the Bailey review suggest that half of children have access to TV via their computers in their own bedroom. Senior figures associated with the review have been struck by the complacency of some industry bodies. Senior figures at the British Retail Consortum said last month that the retail industry had not changed what it sold to children, but parental conventions of what is acceptable have changed. Bailey is likely to be asked by government to follow through his report to ensure his recommendations are implemented. Ministers are aware that the previous government published three reports into sexualisation of children in various aspects, but little happened. There have been three separate reviews Professor Tanya Byron, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, and Professor David Buckingham, all commissioned by the department of education. But Helen Goodman, the shadow justice minister, said: “The voluntary approach has been tried and failed. We must have tougher regulations across the media, including social media.” Pester power is the pollution of modern advertising and we should follow the polluter pays principle. This advertising leads to most conflict in families living in poverty and is a just a pressure that mums do not need.” Findings from a survey conducted for the Bailey review show that: • Two-thirds of parents had come across clothes, toys, games, music videos or other products that they thought were inappropriate for the age group they were aimed at. • 40% of parents said they had seen things in public places (shop window displays, advertising hoardings) that they felt were inappropriate for children to see because of their sexual content. • 41% of parents said they had seen programmes or adverts on TV before 9pm that they felt were unsuitable or inappropriate for children due to their sexual content. Of those parents who had felt the need to complain about these issues but hadn’t, over 60% said that they had not done so either because they didn’t think anything would be done or they didn’t know who to complain to. Around half of parents felt that celebrity culture, adult style clothes and music videos are encouraging children to act older than they are. Bailey has previously said: “For us to let children be children, we need to let parents be parents. That means giving parents the support and encouragement they need to help their children understand and resist the harms they face. “But it also means putting brakes on ever greater commercialisation and sexualisation facing children in modern society. Only then can we look to create a truly family friendly society that protects children.” Children Music industry Advertising Retail industry Patrick Wintour guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Government report into sexualisation of childhood set to propose tougher regulations on retail, advertising and video industry Tighter regulations on sexualised music videos and a single portal for parents to complain about products that are inappropriate for children are to be proposed by a government report into the sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood. The chief theme of the report will be the empowerment of parents to complain about inappropriate material, including advertising, partly by offering an easier way through the current confusing fog of regulatory bodies. The report has been commissioned by David Cameron from Reg Bailey, the chief executive of the Mothers’ Union and a long term critic of premature sexualisation, and it is due to be published on Monday. Bailey is likely to give the retail, advertising and video industry 18 months to improve their act voluntarily or face tougher government regulation. He is also expected to demand some regulatory bodies such as Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority do more to ensure they seek the views of parents on what is acceptable to show to children. Bailey The report is also set to criticise the growth of peer to peer marketing, where companies hire teenagers to sell or promote products in school. Bailey has been armed with devastating research findings showing parents are very worried at what they see as the premature sexualisation of children by industries, including some high-street retailers eager to tap a profitable market, and as a result make children more sensitive about their appearance. Next, FCUK and Top Shop have all produced adult styling in mini sizes. Cameron has already urged Bailey in public to come up with tough findings. Critics will complain that the government is trying to recreate a Victorian image of childhood that takes no account of how the digital age has transformed childhood irrevocably. Ofcom has been criticised for being out of touch over sanctioning the use of sexualsied images on X Factor. The review has already led bodies such as the ASA and the BPI, responsible for the music industry, to make pre-emptive efforts to show they are aware of the criticism of the way they currently operate. The ASA has promised to set up an advisory body, as well as regulate advertising on company websites. The music industry is expected to be told to put some kind of advisory age rating such as films have on music videos. Earlier this week the pop star Rihanna was unrepentant for filming a music video in which she shoots someone who raped her. She has faced massive criticism from parent groups in America . Critics are likely to argue that in practice these music videos go out on TV and parents will unable to stand over their children and prevent them watiching them. | Latest figures sent to the Bailey review suggest that half of children have access to TV via their computers in their own bedroom. Senior figures associated with the review have been struck by the complacency of some industry bodies. Senior figures at the British Retail Consortum said last month that the retail industry had not changed what it sold to children, but parental conventions of what is acceptable have changed. Bailey is likely to be asked by government to follow through his report to ensure his recommendations are implemented. Ministers are aware that the previous government published three reports into sexualisation of children in various aspects, but little happened. There have been three separate reviews Professor Tanya Byron, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, and Professor David Buckingham, all commissioned by the department of education. But Helen Goodman, the shadow justice minister, said: “The voluntary approach has been tried and failed. We must have tougher regulations across the media, including social media.” Pester power is the pollution of modern advertising and we should follow the polluter pays principle. This advertising leads to most conflict in families living in poverty and is a just a pressure that mums do not need.” Findings from a survey conducted for the Bailey review show that: • Two-thirds of parents had come across clothes, toys, games, music videos or other products that they thought were inappropriate for the age group they were aimed at. • 40% of parents said they had seen things in public places (shop window displays, advertising hoardings) that they felt were inappropriate for children to see because of their sexual content. • 41% of parents said they had seen programmes or adverts on TV before 9pm that they felt were unsuitable or inappropriate for children due to their sexual content. Of those parents who had felt the need to complain about these issues but hadn’t, over 60% said that they had not done so either because they didn’t think anything would be done or they didn’t know who to complain to. Around half of parents felt that celebrity culture, adult style clothes and music videos are encouraging children to act older than they are. Bailey has previously said: “For us to let children be children, we need to let parents be parents. That means giving parents the support and encouragement they need to help their children understand and resist the harms they face. “But it also means putting brakes on ever greater commercialisation and sexualisation facing children in modern society. Only then can we look to create a truly family friendly society that protects children.” Children Music industry Advertising Retail industry Patrick Wintour guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Friends stars Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox have been famous for being real-life friends ever since the show debuted in 1994. So why haven’t they been photographed together in almost a year? Sources tell Us “there’s tension” between them, and not because Courteney had dinner with Brad Pitt last month….
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