Eurovision Song Contest woos back TV viewers

More than nine million viewers in the UK watched Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest, according to early estimates. At the end of the show, as Azerbaijan won, 12,7 million people were watching. The average viewing figure for the three-hour broadcast was 9.5 million.

Boy band Blue came 11^th with 100 points, which is a respectable score compared to last year’s entry Dubovie, who came last with 10 points. Bulgaria and Italy both awarded the UK high scores. Ireland came eighth with the Jedward twins, who gained fame on The X Factor.

The event attracted 35,000 fans to the Fortuna Dusseldorf Arena.

Reaction:

I also watched the Eurovision Song Contest and as most of you know, I am a huge fan of the boy band Blue! I did not even know that they were participating so I was really happy when I heard it. We were in Dublin for the UKOK school project when the contest took place, so we knew who the Jedward twins were. They were in all newspapers and they looked ridiculous, which made them so funny. Next year I won’t watch this show, because I think it is all cronyism. Last but not least: Blue is the best!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13409689

Fears rise after dead whale found in Loch Carnan

In October last year 33 whales were found dead on a beach in the Irish Republic. The whales prefer deep water, but come inshore to feed on squid, their main food.

This week the body of a pilot whale has been found in a Hebridean sea loch. Conservationists fear more animals are at risk of being beached. Therefore tests will be carried out on the dead whale and rescuers will be looking to see if more whales has died.

Another group of 60 whales had been seen in the waters of Loch Carnan, some of them had injuries on their heads. The animals were observed and disappointingly they retraced their route back into the loch. Sadly, it is thought that one of the animals may now have died as a body has apparently been seen in the water.

Reaction:

I think it is very sad that so many whales died last year and I do hope that it will be prevented this time. Maybe the tests on the dead whale that has been found this week will give the rescuers more information. Last year the killer whale Morgan was found in the North Sea that was in a bad condition. It could be that it has something to do with the pilot whales.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13488302 

Facebook accused of removing activists' pages

The social network called Facebook has removed dozens of profiles from its site this weekend. These profiles were from campaigners who were trying to organize anti-austerity protests this weekend. Facebook uses technology to track relationships between groups and to find “fake” profiles. A Facebook spokeswoman denied that the removal of pages was politically motivated or instigated by law enforcement concerns before the royal wedding. She explained that the profiles were suspended because they had not been registered correctly. She also said the activists would be contacted by email and told how to reactivate their accounts correctly. The Open Rights Group, which campaigns for civil liberties on the net, said that Facebook should have emailed people first and given them some notice.

Reaction:

I do think that Facebook cannot remove profiles without any good reason or warning. In this case I think that Facebook removed these pages to prevent these protests and not because they had not been registered correctly. I also think that the Royal Wedding last weekend was an extra reason for Facebook to remove these pages so protests could be prevented.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/29/facebook-accused-removing-activists-pages

Rabbit battery farms could return to UK

A Guardian investigation has discovered that planning applications have been made for at least six rabbit battery farms in the UK. The first intensive farms since 1990s have been proposed at sites from Nottinghamshire to Cornwall. In each facility will be up to 1100 animals locked up in wire cages in windowless barns. The cages are too small to allow the rabbits to move around normally by hopping or running or to get any meaningful exercise. The rabbits will be sent to slaughter for their meat at 12 weeks old. The developer told the Guardian that the environment will be light and airy, with lots of space in there, and the cages are 18% bigger than required by law.

Some local people said: “They are moving away from battery farming in chickens, so it seems like a retrograde step.” Also the Compassion in World Farming think it’s time to banning these ‘cruel’ systems.

However, Kerry said the ability to produce lower cost feed has grown. Each year 3000 tonnes of rabbit meat was eaten in Britain and all of it imported.

Reaction:

Personally, I think should be forbidden. I really like animals and I think that animals should have lived a peaceful life when they are sent to slaughter. The local people are right about the fact that this is a retrograde step. It is not logical to start rabbit farms when the chicken farms have just been closed. If there is less rabbit meat, people can always eat other meat. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/29/rabbit-battery-farms-could-return