Thursday, 31 March 2011

The National Newspapers in Britain.

The national Newspapers in Britain
In the UK there are several newspapers, some of them globally and locally. In terms of, local Newspapers, it covers 70% of British people news which are inside the United Kingdom and others comprise the world news in different countries. However, internationally there are very famous newspapers in the UK such as THE GUARDIAN which actually one of my favourite nowadays, because it is academic and formal. That means the authors of such   Newspapers, are quite educational and they have huge experience about sport, education, political, health and so forth. What is making me love THE GUARDIAN is that has special topics every day and some realistic stories across the world.  Another advantage is the writing. When you read this newspaper every day you will discover new vocabulary and special structure in grammar which really important to improve your writing and to improve your tests understanding.   Moreover, THE TIMES, THE INDEPENDENT, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH,  which belong to Broadsheet. Most of the articles are about politics and other serious news. Its most prominent feature is more text and fewer pictures.
The others for example THE SUN, THE DAILY NEW, THE DAILY MIRROR, they are relating to human interest stories pictures, less text and simpler English.
The next section, I just choose an example of each what is about Meryl Streep. In THE TIMES, the headline is "Revealed: Meryl Streep as Thatcher". Only one picture on it. However, with eye-catching headline in THE SUN, it is "Maggie's back in Downing Streep". And there are more pictures with described at great length using simpler English. In addition to these there is much different information between them. For example, in THE TIMES it contains news which are politics, health, education, technology and environment. Like other serious news, there are opinion, business, money, sport, life, arts, puzzles and papers in THE TIMES. And it is always favoured by older people. In contrast, there is no paper in THE SUN. It is the best for box news, sport, showbiz and celebrities. So that's why THE SUN is very popular and many young people like it very much.

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Media.

Media in the United Kingdom
Mass media in the UK consist of several different types of communication media which are television, radio, newspaper, magazine and   internet based web sites. Television in the UK has many numbers of channels. BBC is one of my favourite channels so far. Firstly, what is BBC stands for; it stands for British Broadcasting Corporation as well as is the largest broadcasting organisation in the world. Its mission is to enhance people’s lives with programmes that present what people need and appropriate for them and educate and entertain.  BBC news is really interesting channel especially it has been presenting the world news every hour. In addition, it has brilliant staff which made BBC famous and with a massive trusted. Therefore, every day I watch BBC News particularly at 06:00am.  The other one is BBC Radio4 which is also my favourite one.   I always listen to the radio through TV   before going to bed. Although, I cannot keep up with the speed and the meaning, I really enjoy the speakers' pronunciation and accent as well.  It is believed that if anyone keeps doing this, the level of my English will greatly be improved.


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Thursday, 17 March 2011

A visit to Barry Island.

Shops, restaurants and leisure games.
People from North Iceland 

Annabel and Jeanette 
 This blog today is about   journey to Barry  Island Beach. Barry Island has two beaches which are Whitmore Bay between the two peninsulas of Friar’s Point and Nell’s Point, and the other is the smaller which called Jackson’s Bay which is around headland and cliffs. Our journey has started from Trefforest to Barry Island by train, which has taken about 45- 55 minutes. We went as one group which included PMP student’s which included group1 and 2 as well. When we arrived at Barry Island train station, we walked from the station to beach. The first beach was quite small and the point is the second beach was really brilliant because it has big size and a massive capacity from seaside to restaurants with gold sands. Off course, we took some pictures there with others students and with Jeanet and Annabel beside the beach as well as there were some people from Wales and North Iceland whose dogs were with them. Moreover, it has also another good advantage such as its location to Cardiff Airport which made the vision to the aeroplanes when they landed is very nice. Secondly, the beach is clean and you can bring your dogs, but from May to September not allowed to carry them since the beach in that time is very crowded by people, lots of families and children as well as well as to keep the environment in that time cleaned and coherence. Next advantage is that families whose children with them can also enjoin there because the government have arranged plenty of sport games especially for young people for instance, swimming pools, train games and so forth. What is more, there are excellent shops where can you have coffee and some meals and take way as well. Eventually,  it is cleared that journey was brilliant to have a good experience in order to explore place like that which are located around Cardiff. Barry Island is amazing and one of the most beautiful places in the world. I would like to suggest such place to everyone particularly to international students whose studies in Cardiff University or University of Glamorgan as well as I will be visiting this place again in this summer to have barbecue with friends of mind.

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These links are in order to obtain further information.

Friday, 4 March 2011

Crime and Punishment.

 What information about knife crime and what advice is given about knife crime?
Today the blog is about crime in the United Kingdom in terms of knife crime. I will present some kind of crime nowadays and some advice in order to   be far and save from some dangerous places and how the UK government could deal with it. Also I will present the most popular crime in my country as well.
First of all, definition of knife crime is any crime that involves a knife. Crime knife also is a variety of different offences, varying in severity from carrying a knife for protection in a public place to producing a knife as a weapon during the course of a robbery or sexual assault for instance.  Nowadays, in the United Kingdom is suffered by new kind of crimes which is very poplar and the UK government has noticed that itself that knife crime has been increasing since 2001 till now. The question is why   people   carrying   knives?
There are a variety of reasons why they feel the need to arm themselves in this way. Self-defence is the most common explanation given. If a young person has been a victim of bullying, street crime or generally fears for their own personal safety, they consider ways to make themselves feel less vulnerable and often this leads them to carry a knife. This is clearly misguided, but when you listen to their fears and concerns you can understand why they made that decision.
Fashion and peer pressure is another common reason given for carrying a knife, although these excuses are usually driven by a desire to conform or fear of ridicule.
Yet we must not forget of course, that some young people are involved in crime and the knife acts as a tool of their trade. These young people need education and intensive programmes to try to divert them from the life they have chosen.

The answer is that people who using crime either antisocial behaviour or for offences against the person, sexual offences, burglary, robbery, theft, fraud and forgery, criminal damage, possession and other modifiable offence. According to the Guardian Newspaper is that a knife crime still related incident every 52 minutes in some places such as London Nottingham. However, in Nottingham was the most famous area in terms of gun and knives crime, but now it is really finished by the police and the new regulations which have made difficulties to murderers to do such bad things.  In addition, nowadays London has noticed by the police that   more people have been robbed or beaten by knives in order to give this people money and so forth. They also recognised that the ages particularly those between 17_20, are the most likely to be victims of knife crime, according to the Metropolitan Police. Related to this is the increased number of young people arming themselves with knives. Metropolitan police reported that a 12% increased in the number of teenagers carrying knives since 2002, with the proportion of girls carrying knives rising sharply in recent years, from 15% in 2004 to 21% in2005. One in five of those convicted for possessing a knife were aged between 10 and 17 in 2006, according to Home Office statistics. The UK government has advised people how to deal with the situation across the country by doing safety methods which are as following:
Ø  Your home has good lighting.
Ø  Doors are secured with effective locks (deadbolts).
Ø  Always lock all windows and doors when I go out.
Ø  Have a dog and/or post "Beware of Dog" signs.
Ø  Landscaping around the home doesn’t provide opportunities for concealment.
Ø  Do not give anyone the opportunity to duplicate your keys.
Ø  The front door has a peephole.
Ø  Do not open your door to strangers or allow them into your home or yard.
Ø  Ask to see ID or call to verify that repair and utility workers are legitimate.
Ø  Everyone in the household knows how to call for help.
Ø  Have a system for alerting neighbours in cases of an emergency.
Ø  Participate in a neighbourhood watch program.
Ø  Avoid walking alone, especially at night or in less-populous areas.
Ø  Dress in clothing that allows freedom of movement.
Ø  Walk on the outside of the sidewalk, facing traffic.
Ø  Check routes to my destination before leaving so as not to appear lost.
Ø  Carry valuables in a secure or concealed location and take special care at ATMs.
Ø  Have your keys ready when you approach your vehicle or home.
Ø  Carry change for a telephone call, fare for public transportation, and a whistle to blow if you are attacked or harassed.
Ø  Check your car is in good working condition.
Ø  Carry emergency supplies in your car.
Ø  Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Ø  When driving, keep doors locked and windows rolled up at least three-quarters of the way.
Ø  Park your car in well-lighted areas or parking garages.
Ø  Check the interior of your car before unlocking it and getting in.
Ø  Don’t pick up strangers.
Ø  Note the location of emergency call boxes, or I have a cellular phone in your car.
Ø  Use caution if my car breaks down or if you are involved in a minor crash or bumped intentionally.
Ø  Do not get into arguments with drivers of other vehicles.
Ø  Wait in populated, well-lighted areas.
Ø  Sit near the driver or conductor.
Ø  Sit in a single seat or an outside seat.
Ø  Check routes and times in advance, and confirm before boarding that the bus, subway, or train is bound for your destination.
Ø  Do not allow strangers into your house.
Ø  Do not walk, jog, or exercise alone at night.
Ø  Use campus escort services or walk with friends.
Ø  Know the areas that security guards patrol and stay where they can see or hear me if possible.
In Libya I think the most common crime is corruption where employments are working in different institutes. It is common because the lack of control from the government to some institutions. This lead to increase the situation and many people try to do such another people do. However, if the government decide to establish new regulations and strong sanctions for anybody does or deal with corruption. In addition, it is still difficult to decide that corruption has finished in the world, but if the governments have made new roles, this may be will work and the results will be appear and people will work together to destroy corruption, as well as one of this roles is increase the salaries for all institutes and decrease the taxes and support social systems such as Health System and help unemployed to have job.   
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Thursday, 3 March 2011

The National Health Service


 Dear students,
The blog today is about the National Health Service which is very important system for lots amongst  countries and also has so many advantage for human.

1. Blood Donor:
 
  1. He first gave blood 7 years ago.
  2. He has given blood 41 pints.
  3. Because he has a rare blood type, which can be given without the risk of reaction. And he likes to help others.
  4. When he was 12 years old, he always got bullied in school, and his mother told him boxing can made him strong. 
  5. When he was boxing he saw different kinds of people then he thought how great it was, since that he decided to help those who couldn't see every day. 
2. Your local pharmacy
 
  1. First of all, they can help people develop healthy life style and then give people advices which are free; next they can talk to people and tell them what kind of medicine they can take.
  2. 90% of people with minor ailment are treated straight away.
  3. It helps dispense right by way and puts the drugs to a better option.
3. Free choice
 
    a) No, they didn't. They just choose the local one.
    b)Since 2008 British people had this choice.
   c) It will be more convenient for people who want to save time and those who live far. People can  check  out easily. And the appointment is suitable that the waiting time is not too long.  Also people can know more about the hospital which they would like to choose.
   d)The first one is GP searching, the second one is that you can go home and ring out the chosen, book a appointment, and the last one is that you can go online and buy house space.

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Saturday, 12 February 2011

The Welfare System in the UK.

 Dear Students,
Today we will look at one of the vital system in the United Kingdom, which called The Welfare System. Before we start, we have to answer some questions.

What the jobseekers allowance and who can get this?

 In the United Kingdom, Jobseeker’s Allowance, who looking for job, is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work or work less than 16 hours a week on average. If you're eligible, it is paid while you're looking for work and the government will accept individual according to the conditions which is below:
Ø  To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must be:
Ø  Available for, capable and actively seeking work.
Ø  Aged 18 or over but below State Pension age.
Ø  Working less than 16 hours per week on average.
Ø  In Great Britain.

How much child benefit is paid for each child?
First of all, we will acknowledge what is Child benefit in the UK as a general idea. Child Benefit is a tax-free payment which means anybody who has children can claim for your child. The amount of child benefit will obtain, depends on how many children you are permitted to obtain Child Benefit. The Child payment is paid every four weeks although sometimes can paid weekly. Initially, Oldest or only child takes   20, 30£. Secondly, additional children- per child take 13.40£. Finally, Guardian’s allowance- per child takes 14.30£. All these rates are taken per week. Sometimes they can take monthly as I mentioned above. However, according to the last regulations, the coalition   government have made by the current government which are running by David Cameron, that from 6 April 2011, the Child Benefit rates will stay the same for three years.  

What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships is the place where good opportunity of success in he or she career. Therefore, if she or he has a good idea of where you want to go with your career and like the idea of earning while you learn, apprenticeships could be for you. Another definition is Apprentices are employees who earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff in businesses to gain job-specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day-release basis, apprentices receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications.
Apprenticeships can take between one and four years to complete depending on the level of Apprenticeship, the apprentices' ability and the industry sector.
There are more than 85,000 employers offering apprenticeships in England in 130,000 locations, and in 200 job roles.
 I concluded, the Apprenticeships are a system of training where individual build their career from Apprenticeships. Additionally, most of their training is done whilst working and also this system for people who are on low income. However, there may be different requirements for apprenticeships depending on occupational sector. You just need to be living in the United Kingdom as well as not taking part in full- time education. In addition, it is available for ages upon 16 years old and the lowest payment is 2.50£ for each hour.  

How does the system in the UK compare with the system in your country?
As I am Libyan therefore, I will discuss the system in the UK and in the Great Jamahiriya. Libyan’s health care has suffered greatly since 1980s because of the United Nation sanction and Libya’s isolation from other countries. It became difficult for Libyan health care workers to obtain medicine, surgical supplies and parts to repair medical equipment. Patients could not leave the country to get specialized treatments. The sanctions on basic health care affected the availability of vaccines for children, resulted in the closure of mother-and-child health care centres and caused the lack of medicine and qualified personnel to treat cancer or heart disease.  However, despite the difficulties in fully restoring the health care system, oil revenues have allowed the Libyan government to build clinics, buy equipment; train doctors abroad, recruit medical professionals from overseas, and protect the water supply. Libyans health status has improved during the past three decades: the Libyan individual’s average life span was only 46 years during the sixties, now, according to the data of World Health Organization, the average age is 72.4.28. The mortality rate among infants has now gone down. 29 This decrease included both the inhabitants of cities and rural areas, and this shows a great horizontal expansion in the distribution of health services among different areas. Studies on Human Development indicate an increase and improvement in the quality of nutrition among Libyans. Thus, currently Libyan health status is good compared to other Middle Eastern countries. The country’s two major hospitals are located in the two most important Libyan cities, Tripoli and Benghazi. They are affiliated with medical schools and specialized institutes that train nurses and medical technicians. The widest range of medical services is found at these hospitals. Smaller towns and villages have medical clinics or small hospitals. Mobile health units travel to rural areas to provide health care.
The Health System
Although there is not a clearly defined difference between the public and private sectors, in Libya there is a mixed system of public and private healthcare, rather than a purely state-run model.
The health system operates on several levels:
1) The first level consists of the basic health care units, which provide curative and preventive services for 5.000 to 10.000 citizens.
2) The second level comprises the basic health care centres, which serve from 10,000 to 26,000 citizens.
3) The third level consists of the polyclinics, which play an important role in cities. Staffed by specialized physicians and containing laboratories as well as radiological services and a pharmacy, these polyclinics serve approximately 50,000 to 60,000 citizens.

4) At the fourth level, there are hospitals in rural areas and the central hospitals in urban areas.
5) The fifth level comprises the specialized hospitals.
In conclusion, the result of this comparison is that the UK Health Welfare is better than Libyan system since some elements which were based on the education system in the UK which played a big role and high quality of methods and tools. For example, the equipments   which doctors and staff who used it in different treatments in hospital, are very progressive and with high quality, but in Libya we do not have such this. However, the system in my country has developed especially when our government has been sent plenty of students to complete their high education in development countries in special subjects such as Health, Engineering and so forth.


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