Thames River Suicide

Emergency services searched the Thames last night after a report someone had jumped from the bridge on Woolwich Manor Way.
The bridge which backs onto UEL halls of residence, attracted a crowd of students as four fire trucks, ambulance, search and rescue boats and even airport security from the neighbouring City airport, searched in the dark in attempt of rescue.
Although there had been many rumours, police confirmed at the site that someone who remains unidentified 'had jumped from the bridge. The incident is being treated as a suicide.'

After over an hour of searching the surface no one was found. Emergency services dispersed leaving the area still cordoned off and confirmed a dive team would continue the search in the morning. A member of the search and rescue boat said 'We've searched for over an hour...they'll eventually return to the surface at some point. Could be a day or a couple of weeks.'

Portsmouth students keep up protest

I've been on work experience in Portsmouth, so some Portsmouth news! :

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/east-hampshire/portsmouth_students_keep_up_protests_over_arts_cuts_1_3208725

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/lifestyle/tn2-saturday/a-weekend-with/fighting_the_fat_and_getting_fit_thanks_to_gym_1_3214781

Anti-Capitalist Protesters, Here To Stay?

The anti-capitalist protest at St.Paul's is celebrating after successfully securing Finsbury Square as a second campsite on Saturday. Their progress adds to their confidence and the campsite's united decision to remain until Christmas. St.Paul's cathedral welcomed the campsite originally, but now there are fears court action will remove the site. The chancellor of St Paul's has also resigned in connection to the protesters presence, but activists are still determined to stay. Recently, various media allegations have painted a very negative picture of the protesters as often absent, uncommitted, trouble makers. Claims of using thermal cameras, health and safety concerns to rumours of violence have been used to turn public opinion and divert from their cause. At a general meeting the two main points decided by the protesters, were for equality and transparency (of any large corporations etc that make decisions on how money is spent.)

The camp is strictly peaceful, there is a well governed ban on alcohol and drugs. The camp has a very small police presence, who converse with protesters whilst simply watching, awaiting a non-existent violent outbreak. The police are welcome to the site as well as children and students to wall street bankers and journalists. The surprisingly organised campsite's are a temporary home to seemingly ordinary people, the vast majority of which have skills they apply to the campsite, be it cooking teaching or painting, to just washing up. Curious passers by and tourists, to opposing debaters stand in groups talking. Many of the protesters go to college or uni or work, returning to the camp as often as they can. Artwork, banners and newspaper clippings decorate the walls. Protesters take it in shifts to give out leaflets to the public, as well as a separate table of literature. The magazines and pamphlets detail ideas of socialist politics, and points out the flaws in capitalism and the current economy. Although the camp has sparked much debate it is still unclear how much longer they will be able to continue to 'occupy wall street London.'

Update

Sorry I haven't updated this recently, been settling into uni etc. But just to update, I will be going to St.Paul's Cathedral anti-capitalism protest site to report, also the protest on the 5th of November, and in the pipe line is a trip to India to report on the 'Thrissur Pooram' festival...all coming soon!

Riots Aftermath in Woolwich

This morning Londoners and others around the country gathered in battered high streets to witness the devastating damage caused by unpredicted riots. Social networking sites were alive with pictures and comments of burnt out shops and cars as local people came to terms with the criminal damage inflicted on their work places and homes. In Woolwich, a part of South East London well known for high unemployment and low income families was one of the areas hit. Late at night on Monday the rioters took to the streets of Woolwich. This afternoon the center is cut off with police tape, Barclays bank and the train station have smashed windows and have closed. The corpse of a burnt out car sits near by as a monument to the events of the previous night. Buses are diverted and police stand on corners whilst members of the public ask questions and take pictures, aghast at what has struck their communities.

Studentnewsblog: Riots Spread to Lewisham

Studentnewsblog: Riots Spread to Lewisham

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=207192798388318292131.0004aa01af6748773e8f7&msa=0&ll=51.53395%2C-0.072098&spn=0.284039%2C0.519791

Riots Spread to Lewisham

The shocking 'riots of London' have recently spread to Lewisham. The whole high street and roundabouts at either end were cordoned off, opposite one of the biggest Police stations in the country. Lines of riot police formed by half past five in the afternoon today. One young man named Michael walked out of the local pub 'the fox and ferkin' in Lewisham after hearing rumors of possible trouble about an hour beforehand. Michael was already heading out of the area when he was suddenly charged at by riot police, caught up in an exchange between 100 to 200 hooded people lobbing rocks at police. Michael said 'it was full of police, police were everywhere, there were more police here than at the student protests!' Bus lanes and streets towards Catford were blocked. Questions and fear spread, as it emerges the lead members of the riots are 13/14 and 15 years old. The riots have recently spread to Clapham, Ealing and Willsden Junction and Camden. At least in Lewisham it seems the violence was calmed and controlled by police presence.