World Cup South Africa 2010

As the 2010 World Cup draws near, we spoke to some pupils from Ogwini High School about their opinions on the World Cup being hosted in their home country. Many pupils believe South Africa have a good chance of going all the way, a few thinking they will win, others being more realistic and aiming for the quarter finals. South Africa have drawn France, Uruguay and Mexico in their group and possibly have a chance of going through to the last 16. Subjects also touched on were the wealth that hosting the World Cup will bring to South Africa, the pupils thinking that this will be good for the South African economy. Another thing found out in the video clips was that many street kids and beggars would be thrown into some sort of home for the duration of the tournament, which is said to be a good idea as the pupils believe that this will make South Africa look a lot cleaner and a nicer place to be.

Spain and Brazil are the bookies favourites to win the tournament with England just behind in the odds to win. The English, feeling fairly confident that they will win, are resting all their hopes on star man Wayne Rooney who is now on 30 goals for this season. But a lot of rumours are surrounding the England players and their personal lives, with John Terry recently being stripped of the captaincy and Wayne Bridge withdrawing himself from possible England selection. Can England pull it together for the World Cup? Will Spain win the competition for the first time in their history? Or will Brazil add to their record of 5 times winning the competition?

For more information watch the video below.

Written by Bradley and Grant

SNP and Plaid Banned from Prime Ministrial Debate

Alex Salmond accused the BBC  of being bias after they, along with Sky an STV, refused to represent the SNP or the Plaid Cymru Party in the televised Prime Ministrial debate.  Alex Salmond and Ieuan Wyn Jones have written a letter to the BBC director general Mark Thomson to say:

“For politics to be about healthy debate, the winning of hearts and minds, rather than about prior tribal affliction, then parties in reasonable competition must be given a similar opportunity to present their policy platform to the electorate. The medium of television has a unique ability at election time to bring the competition of ideas, which is at the heart of the democratic system, into the living room of every voter in the country.
Without a properly informed electorate, the conditions for a free election are not possible.”

By Nico

Nick Clegg wants £10bn to cut deficit

The Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, has today called for a £10bn “down-payment” in the next financial year in a bid to hopefully cut the UK’s record post-war deficit. Mr Nick Clegg told the Independent newspaper that this would hopefully calm the financial market if there was a hung Parliament. The Lib-Dems conference will be held in Birmingham this weekend. The party has actually accused other parties of not setting out the full scale of spending cuts that are required quite regularly. Nick Clegg commented that,

“We are not here to play games with other parties!”

Nick Clegg was also very critical of the Tories for stoking fears that a hung Parliament may cause a run on sterling because of market uncertainty about the ability of a minority government to reduce Britain’s  record deficit of £178bn. Nick Clegg also said that he wants the minority to vote for Labour or Tories, so that they could form a coalition. If it were formed, he wants to focus on 4 policies.

1.Tax Reforms.
2.Extra Education for Deprived Children.
3.A Greener Economy
4.Voting Reforms.

But he said he wouldn’t talk to any of the parties about deals until the votes have been counted. He then finally said,
“Once we know the lie of the land after the election, we have to work out the best way to do that.”


By Liam and Matt

Sneaky Affairs For Both Carla and Nicolas

Former supermodel, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, was certain that husband and French president Nicolas Sarkozy would never cheat on her and described their love for each other as a romantic fairytale.

Rumours have spread like butter across the internet and to the British press that both Carla and Nicolas have had extra material affairs. Nicolas is said to be having an affair with French politician Chantal Jouanno and Carla to be having an affair with French singer Benjamin Biolay.

Both have been said to have affairs in the past. Carla’s past lovers include rock stars like Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and millionaire Donald Trump. She is also said to have started a relationship with writer Jean Paul- Enthoven but then dumped him for his son Raphel.

Nicolas had an affair with his second wife Cecilia Ciganer Albaniz whilst still married to his first wife Maria Dominique Culio who was the mother of his two sons.

By Billie and Sarah

Grilling A. salmond

On the 4th March 2010, Nico, Billie and I went to the Scottish Parliament to interview Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond.

We asked many questions, some of which he complained about; saying we didn’t give him any easy ones!
As we sat in the First Minister’s waiting room, the nerves started to kick in. There was really no need for them, as the first minister made us feel relaxed and at ease.

We started with a hard-hitting question about the First Minister’s decision making on past policies. He responded by commenting that his policies on immigration were not always popular. He continued by stating that he wants to encourage more people to come to Scotland and for the country to have a liberal Immigration Policies. The First Minister wants us to become more like other countries around the world and reduce the amount of home grown talent being exported. He feels Scotland should be welcoming and understanding.

Our next question was more open and relaxed. The First Minister responded very openly to us when we asked which historical political figure he most admired, saying that Nelson Mandela was his number one! He stated that the reason for his choice was that following his release from 30 years in prison, Nelson Mandela wasn’t bitter at all but was gracious and forgiving and that he had dignity. Another of the First Ministers favourites was Abraham Lincoln, saying he was a great leader as he helped to win the civil war, united America and freeing the slaves. The First Minister also said he was a great fan on Scotland’s National baird Robert Burns. The First Minister felt that Burns had views on everything that’s happened and was a person with opinions on great politics.

Our penultimate question to the First Minister was a bit of an inside political joke. After Gordon Brown admitted to liking any biscuit with a bit of chocolate we put this question to our First Minister. What was his favourite biscuit?

The First Minister explained that as a child he suffered from many allergies, including cheese, milk, butter and ice cream. He continued by revealing that the thing he was not allergic to was plain chocolate digestive buscuits. As Mr Salmond explained he “spent a lot of his boyhood eating plain chocolate digestives and drinking lucozade”. So that was why his favourite biscuit was still a Mcvities plain chocolate digestive, despite being partial to a Tunnock’s caramel wafer.

Finally we asked our first minister if he dunked his biscuits. He responded by saying, “no, not in my lucozade”. 

Written by Beth

David Beckham Returns to Old Trafford

Last night David Beckham returned to Old Trafford after departing the Manchester side in 2003 and almost seven years on and now he had to face his former manager who made him the player he was and play against his old and familiar team-mates in the clash with Italian side AC Milan. This was a very important game for the Manchester side and vital they got off to a great start.

Things did get off to an outstanding start with the Manchester side taking the lead in the 13th minute with Wayne Rooney scoring a header, his 30th goal of the season and his 7th header on the trot. Just before Beckham was about to make his return to the pitch, Ji-Sung Park then got onto the score sheet scoring twelve minutes after Wayne Rooney calmly slotted home his second of the night, after a pinpoint pass by the Portuguese winger Nani who’s recent form has been an honour for the Man United side. Then there was the moment fan every Man United fan was waiting for the return of David Beckham.

On the 63rd minute although AC Milan were already out of the tie Beckham still reminded spectators he still had the cutting edge as he played a few trademark crosses and a resounding volley which was saved by Van Der Sar. It was a thoroughly deserved win for the Manchester side which will see them advance through to the quarter finals of the EUFA champions league also Arsenal have proceeded along with Lyon.

BY JAMIE AND CONNOR

World’s Richest Man

A Mexican billionaire, Carlos Slim Helu, a widower aged 70 with six children has been ranked as the richest person in the world, the first time the title has been held by a non-American for 16 years.

Carlos Slims family empire now controls more than 200 companies and controls more than 90% of Mexico’s phone landlines. This has left Microsoft founder Bill Gates in second place and US investor Buffet in third place. Last year Carlos earned $35bn and now he is earning $53.5bn. Bill Gates income just fell short at $53.0bn.

Another person named in the rich list was Mark Zuckerberg, who earns around $4bn. The 25 year old founder of Facebook had regained the title of youngest billionaire.

By Dionne