Hero

A soldier, Lance Corporal Kyle Smith, has been awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. He saved two wounded comrades of his out of danger. They were lying in the open, wounded and not able to get back into safety. Corporal Smith ran the hundred yards towards towards his friends twice, and he administered first aid. This was extremely brave of him, seeing that he even considered to take some team mates with him, but deciding not to because they could get hurt as well. He did it all on his own, which is truly a act of bravery.


Own opinion:

I find this man a true hero. And I can only hope that I ever grow to be as brave as him. And if I ever am in a situation like his two fallen comrades, I can only hope that I have a friend in the area that is as brave as Lance Corporal Kyle Smith. It is really hard to imagine the situation, because it is so distant from me. I have no family that is or ever has been in the army, so I can not imagine what I would do if one of my friends was wounded. Kyle Smith is a really brave man, that can't be
awarded enough in my eyes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/7881820/British-soldier-awarded-Conspicuous-Gallantry-Cross.html

Girl survives over seven months with fake heart!

Six-year-old Alice Hipkiss now looks really healthy, but that has not always been the case. She was born with a failing heart. This had as result that she used an artificial heart, called a Berlin Heart, for almost 230 days, longer than anyone else in the United Kingdom. Shortly after she got the real heart transplanted, she faced another setback. Cancer developed in her body due to the strong medicine she was taking. But she fought back this as well, being her fathers happy little princess after all. And because of the good help, the family is now helping to raise 500,000 pounds for a new Heart and Lung centre at the hospital.


Own opinion:

I find this little girl truly a hero. She is born with a failing heart, is put on a device for over seven months, develops cancer but she is not letting it hold her back at all. She fought everything, beat the cancer and is now happy and healthy. I feel so happy for this little girl that she is able to live a happy life after all that she has been through. I think that this girl will show a lot of persistence later in life, and I really do hope that she will live her life in a way that she wants too and that she is able to do anything that she wants.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7881354/Girl-survives-228-days-with-artificial-heart.html

Experts warn about upcoming heatwave

Experts urged people to look after their elderly neighbours and family members, as they expect a certain rise of deaths due to the upcoming heatwave, where temperatures up to 31 degrees are expected. Also people with long-term breathing problems, like asthmatic people could suffer from problems. Heatwaves are known for a rise in death, because there are always people who do not watch out enough. At least 30000 people across Europe died during the 2003 heatstroke, where in France it was 40 degrees for a whole consecutive week. But not all people suffer; the younger people celebrate the hot weather with tanning and barbecuing.

Own opinion:

I think it is our duty as civilians of this society to watch out after each other. I mean, the people that do not suffer and have the privilege to go outside and have fun with friends do not suffer from the hot weather at all. Well, a sunburn maybe, but that is nothing compared to what elderly people and people with asthma for instance are going through. I think that if we all watch out a little bit more, we can keep the number of deaths due to the heatwave at a lower level.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7882326/Rise-in-deaths-amid-heatwave.html

Raoul Moat finally found but dead!

Raoul Moat, a 37 year old, shot himself and thus died after a six hour stand-off with the police after he shot his ex girlfriend and her new lover. The stand-off started when Raoul was spotted on a riverbank in Rothbury. This ends the biggest manhunt in the history of the UK. Among the 'hunters' there were police officers from 15 different forces, sharpshooters from Scotland Yard and armoured 4x4's. When the police surrounded the former nightclub doorman, one shot could be heard. That was his suicide attempt. He was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Own opinion:

I think that it is a pity that he got the chance to shoot himself. Not only for himself, but also because now he could not get punished for his action. Also, I find it rather disturbing that the police, even though they searched with such a big force it still took them a whole week to find Raoul Moat. I understand why he did it, why he shot his girlfriend but at the same time I do not. I mean, what is the use? If you are not over her you should try everything you can to get back to her, and not kill her. But that is my opinion.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7882906/Raoul-Moat-dies-after-shooting-himself-during-armed-police-stand-off.html

Mother tattoo's own son's ashes into her body

Summary (103 words):
Mourning mother Kim Mordue has used the ashes of her son in a tattoo, in order to keep him with her wherever she goes. Lloyd Evans, her son, died three years ago by an accident with GHB, a very notorious party drug. Ms Mordue wanted to keep her son with her all the time. She also has said that she wanted him “to go back where he started, he's in my body again.” The tattoos were made by her husband David who has his own tattoo shop. Kim Mordue hopes she also succeeds in raising more awareness about the dangers of drugs.


Own opinion (104 words):
I found this article very moving, but at the same time a bit morbid. I understand that she loved her son very much and she still does. But tattooing his ashes into your own flesh?! That is a bit far-reaching. I also have my doubts about the health part of this tattoo. I mean, doesn't our body repel everything that they recognize as being part of somebody else' body? I understand why she did it, and I am sure that she gave this a good thought, but I still think that she should have thrown the ashes out over the ocean or something similar.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-world/2010/06/22/dead-son-s-ashes-used-to-give-mum-tattoo-115875-22350044/

John Terry issues apology after reprimand from Fabio Capello

Summary (109 words):
John Terry, former captain of the English football team, has issued an excuse to Mr Fabio Capello, who accused Terry of showing a lack of respect to him and his team-mates. Fabio Capello has stated that there is tension within the English Squad. Capello wanted apologies from Terry, because he Capello always has his door open for anyone on the squad to speak out his problems or his issues and John Terry did not do this. But he did discuss it in the media, and especially as the leader/captain of the English national squad, he should have not done that, but he should have discussed it with the coach.


Own opinion(94 words):
I think that Fabio Capello was correct with saying that John Terry made a mistake when Terry did not go to Capello with his issues but rather discussed them openly in the media. Especially Terry, because he is captain, should know better. John Terry should have known that it is better to discuss his grudges with his team-mates and his coach, than with the mass-media. He especially should have discussed his issues with Ashley Cole, as it was a remark about him that made Fabio Capello say that John Terry made a big mistake.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7845113/World-Cup-2010-John-Terry-issues-apology-to-angry-England-manager-Fabio-Capello.html

Priests molesting small boys (speakers corner)

Every now and then, there are uproars in the media all over Europe, but sadly enough these are not good ones. These are about catholic priests sexually abusing under aged boys. This has happened numerous times now, and there isn't much being done about it in the church. Well, they are taken into custody by the police and are punished by law for their actions, but they are not excluded from working in church ever again. Apparently abusing someone who cannot defend him or herself is not bad enough to be banned forever from working in a church.
98 words


Personal opinion: I think that people like this are mentally ill, and people that are mentally ill should be helped to deal with their mental illness. The society should offer them help to solve this problem. If they are able to overcome their problems then they should be able to get back into the society. I think that everybody deserves a second chance, even when they do something as bad as molesting a under aged boy. Some of them need help to overcome their problems. My question: should people who did this get a second chance?
94 words