No need to apologise for bonuses says bank chief

Summery

Chief executive of Barcleys, Bob Diamand has appeared before the Commons’ Treasury committee. He stated that bank do not need to apologise for bonuses. Britain needs to quit commenting on the bonuses handed out to bankers and let the banks lead Britain’ economic growth. He also felt, that bonuses are required to prevent staff from leaving for other companies. However, Bob Diamand, who was paid £21 million in 2007, refused his bonuses for 2008 and 2009.

In a response to these statements, deputy minister, Nick Clegg said “it is nonsense ministers could do little about bankers' bonuses”.

Opinion

Bankers are largely responsible for the economic crisis. People are losing their live savings and bank staff receive bonuses of millions of pounds. This contrast cannot be explained to the general public. Bankers should set an example, just like Bob Diamand, by waiving their bonuses. I have no objection if bankers receive a salary of £21 million or million dollar bonuses but they have to earn it. 

Link

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8254184/No-need-to-apologise-for-bonuses-says-bank-chief.html

Tributes paid to 347th UK fatality in Afghanistan

Summery

Corporal Steven Dunn is the 347^th UK fatality in Afghanistan. Corporal Dunn, 27, was killed when it vehicle hit an IED. He left his wife Cheryl and his daughter Emily. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Harrison, Corporal Dunn was responsible for all critical radio and satellite links. This was his 3^rd mission in Afghanistan before having served in Iraq.

This is not the traditional time for Afghan “fighting season”, but there have been recent activities of large numbers of Islamist fighter fleeing across the border into Pakistan.

The ministry of Defense has stated that everything is being done to ensure that troops returning from Afghanistan got back in time for Christmas.

Opinion

It is absolutely very tragic for the family members to lose a loved one. I cannot even begin to understand how it must be like. Corporal Steven Dunn and his wife knew what the risks were for him to be send out to a conflict area. This off course does not make this fact less tragic. In every war there are casualties, and I believe we should pay a tribute to all soldiers, who have fallen in action to defend our freedom. We should also take good care of the soldiers who return home, injured or not. It is the least we could do, for what they did for us.

Link

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tributes-paid-to-347th-uk-fatality-in-afghanistan-2168425.html

Police keep records on the innocent

Summery

The UK police holds records of everyone who dialled 999 or non-emergency numbers to report their concerns or pass on information. The recording of reported offences has been going on for more than 12 years. The police state that recording of the data is necessary to fight crime, product the vulnerable and to ensure concerns were dealt with properly. In some areas, the police did not only record contact details, but also date of birth and ethnicity. The opposition states that by recording this data, they automatically see members of the public as potential criminals. The public wants to report offences in anonymity, and not having to worry about being seen as a potential criminal.

Opinion

If I call 999 or 122, I would be shocked if they did not record my details. I am in favour of recording information if it is relevant. This data can be stored to contact me, if the police need my help. The information however, should be strictly: name, address, contact information. Date of birth and ethnicity have absolutely no relevant purpose. Information about your name, address, contact information is already available in the police database, so this should not be a problem at all.

Link

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-keep-records-on-the-innocent-2174658.html

Sale of human organs should be legalised, say surgeons.

Summery

According to leading transplant surgeons and professors, the sale of human organ should be legalized. The legalization of organ sale is a good option to reduce the list of people who are waiting for an organ donor. In the current system, everyone gets paid except for the donor. The legalization would also cause the black market to be destroyed of dramatically reduced. People are now travelling to other countries for an organ transplant and often require additional surgery in the UK. The opposition states “we don’t believe we should commercializing parts of our bodies”. It might encourage people to sell their organ, with disregard for the risk involved.

Opinion

I am a liberal, and that is why I believe someone should have the right to sell their organ if they want. However, I do believe we should protect people from taking unnecessary risks. Before donation the donor should go through a program which makes them aware of the risks they are taking. There should also be a legal and medical (background) check. This will decrease the risk but unfortunately not completely.

Link

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/sale-of-human-organs-should-be-legalised-say-surgeons-2176110.html

Army hero puts his Military Cross on eBay.

Summery

A former soldier who earned the military cross has put his reward on eBay. Ranger Alan Owens served in the Royal Irish Regiment in March 2009 and lives at from Portadown, Co Armagh. He received this cross because "a level of empathy with the local population which no amount of fighting could establish". The bid started at £25,000 and had the options of “buy it now” priced at £100,000.

The response of a Ministry of Defence spokesman: "The Military Cross has been awarded to him and he is free to do with it as he wishes,"

Opinion

If I had been awarded with a military cross, I would not sell it. I presume, I would be extremely proud of it. However, you do not know what kind of situation he is in. For all we know, he could be selling his cross to put his children through college. That is why, I believe, it is very difficult to have an opinion about this subject.

Link

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/army-hero-puts-his-military-cross-on-ebay-2186307.html