News Round Up
by Patrick O'Connor
SEVERAL national newspapers ran photographs over the holiday period of young Brits – especially female – in a drunken state, highlighting the problem of binge drinking in the UK.
Now, a report in the Daily Express says that girl students are drinking more than the boys. Research claims that more than half of women studying a university binge drink compared with 41 per cent of male students.
Professor Jose Cancela Carrall, co-author of the study, said: “The amount drunk per unit of time is higher in women. In other words, even though males drink more often, females do drink more intensively in shorter periods of time.”
Want to find a witch? Then go to Wales!
The Daily Telegraph says a minister has claimed that occult practices in rural Wales have been increasing during the two decades he has been working in the area.
This follows the news that latest figures in the 2011 census has revealed 83 witches and 93 satanists are living in Wales.
Rev Felix Aubel, who is the minister of five Congregational chapels in Carmarthenshire, said: “I have been told that a coven of witches still meet locally. There is also a witch living in a nearby village who advertises her services in the local paper.”
Would you credit it!
Christmas has only just disappeared around the corner but the Daily Mirror tells us that some supermarkets are already selling Easter eggs.
It's still three months until Easter Sunday on March 31 but the Mirror reports one shopper tweeting: “Just had first easter egg sighting of the year. Well done @sainsburys Did no one tell you Christmas lasts 12 days?”
Another said: “Easter eggs are in Sainsburys already. Far too commercialised. World’s gone money crazy.”
Tom Rennolds tweeted: “I’ve just seen Easter eggs in M&S?! I’ve not finished my Chocolate Oranges yet!!” Carole Mcginley posted: “Marks and Spencer selling Easter eggs yesterday its £so wrong.”
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We stock a small range of Easter chocolate in early January as we know some customers like to buy it now.”
M&S said in a statement: “M&S is now selling Easter eggs. Our customers like to buy these for friends and family over a period of time to help spread the cost.” So there.
Why do they do it?
The Daily Express focuses on a study by the University of Portsmouth that women wear 'killer heels' because it makes them look sexier than flat shoes.
High heels make women look more attractive because they 'exaggerate femininity' – changing the way a woman’s pelvis, hips, legs and feet move and emphasising her curves, claimed scientists.
And the higher the heel, the sexier a woman’s appearance, says the report which also suggests 'mate selection' is the main reason why women choose to wear heels.
Oh sir!!!!
Amusing story from the Daily Telegraph that teachers at a school in Accrington, Lancashire, have been accused of undermining pupils’ respect for them after they filmed a spoof of the pop hit Gangnam Style complete with half-naked changing room scenes
Apparently, staff including the headmaster, performed the horse-riding-style dance moves made famous by a South Korean rapper, which has been watched more than 3,000 times since being uploaded to YouTube.
The version of the song, recorded at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School, shows teachers, receptionists and cleaners carrying out dance moves in locations around the campus.
However, local councillor Peter Britcliffe commented: “I am not a killjoy but I have looked at the piece, which is being discussed all over Accrington. It is the talk of the town's young people.
“Having viewed it myself, while most of it is just good fun, there are parts of it certainly that might not improve the respect there should be between teachers and pupils.”
Boo!