Dewi

Welsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways...

Northern Ireland approach to Tuition Fees

| Readers 6

From the BBC Danny Kennedy is considering his options: He added: “As I have said in the Assembly, I want a ‘made in Northern Ireland’ approach to student fees. What is done in London and Cardiff undoubtedly holds lessons for us, but the point of devolution is to devise local solutions.” Interestingly he highlights the brain drain effect: However, Mr Kennedy said the situation in Wales differs from Northern Ireland in the sense that it “imports” a lot of students, …

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Christmas Quiz (1)

| Readers 13

Ok, adopting the Welsh approach toward Education (No league tables or competition more a communal quest for collective knowledge) here’s the Christmas Quiz. See if between all you can get all questions correct, without using Wiki / google (or even books), by next Monday? 1. Dr William Price, the 19th century Welsh Chartist / Philospher / Physician etc etc. famously cremated his first born boy. What was the child’s name? 2. Which was the only part of the present day …

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Welsh Referendum – “Yes” have the big Mo….

| Readers 7

Been away for the weekend so have only just seen Saturday’s Western Mail Poll on voters’ intentions in next March’s referendum. 60% of voters said Yes, 28% No. Of those certain to vote (a meagre 39% of the sample) a stunning 73% said Yes v 23% No. Over the last month the gap seems to have widened considerably. How? Here’s John Osmond from the Institute of Welsh Affairs on Labour’s plan for a seamless run in to Referendum and then …

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Bad Week for Wales…..

| Readers 7

We started with the PISA report on education standards throughout the world. The Pisa assessments of 15-year-olds show Wales falling further behind since the 2006 tests. Wales teenagers ranked below average, alongside the Czech Republic, in reading. Leighton Andrews called the results “unacceptable” and said everyone involved should be “alarmed”. Wales again ranked lowest of the UK countries and is now cast adrift from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Out of 67 countries taking part, Wales was ranked 38th for …

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Welsh (and English?) now an Official Language in Wales….

| Readers 103

We’ve just passed A Welsh Language Measure – David Williamson (of Belfast I believe) writes in the Western Mail: Leading activists yesterday welcomed a last-minute move by the Assembly Government to secure the status of Welsh as an official language in Wales as AMs voted on flagship legislation. The Assembly yesterday passed the long-awaited Welsh Language Measure which will lead to new bilingual duties on publicly- funded organisations and key utility providers. Early yesterday afternoon it emerged that the Assembly …

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Catalunya surely on the road to Independence

| Readers 5

The Economist reports on last week’s Catalan elections. Barca v Madrid. There is now a clear majority of “sovereignists” and separatists in the Catalan parliament. A ruling by Spain’s constitutional court in the summer to water down a new autonomy statute—the results of a PP legal challenge—has raised the temperature. Polls at the time showed support for independence briefly rising to 50%, before slipping back in the autumn (one in ten voters backed openly separatist parties yesterday). In the end, …

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And Qatar win the 2022 World Cup…

| Readers 8

Astonishing victory. Spent some money Snazzy new stadia.. And a good idea: To ensure a lasting impression, Qatar 2022 have proposed that post-World Cup, many modular components of the stadiums no longer needed will be dismantled and shipped to other countries in order to promote football development. ..might need to work a bit on that world ranking..although it’s one way to qualify. Congratulations. DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…

More English sponging…or Welsh taxpayers invest in English Universities….

| Readers 15

OK the UK Goverment have: 1) Scrapped the Severn Barrage (£30bn.) 2) Scrapped St Athan’s Defence Academy (£14bn) 3) Delayed Great Western Electrification in Wales (£1bn) 4) Closed Newport Passport Office…300 jobs gone. 5) Cut S4C funding by £20m p.a. We, on the other hand, have decided to subsidise English Universities by up to £110m p.a.. We are a kind and appreciative nation I know…..but this can’t be sensible. DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…

S4C – The only place to watch the Rugby

| Readers 19

Astonishing – Murray v Nadal? THE BBC was forced to apologise yesterday after it was heavily criticised for not showing the opening seven minutes of Saturday’s match between Wales and the All Blacks. The broadcaster’s decision to stick with Andy Murray’s tennis match against Rafael Nadal on BBC2 meant many fans did not get to see Stephen Jones’ kick which took Wales into the lead in the first minute. The decision was condemned by politicians and Wales-based BBC staff are …

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The All Blacks can’t play in the snow..

| Readers 4

I hope… The New Zealand Herald think it’s a done deal… Graham Henry wants to smash Wales -that’s not nice.. Stringer is back – Argentina ain’t a rollover… DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…

Quantitative Easing Explained

| Readers 7

The UK can afford a £7bn loan to the ROI because it can just print it. Here’s a great video explaining the US $2.6bn QE programme. (“Is this an episode of the Twilight Zone?”). Here’s some Q&As from the BBC. Why are the UK’s actions different from 1920s Germany and Zimbabwe? Printing money can be defined as the central bank financing of government debts. This is what happened in both 1920s Germany and Zimbabwe and what the British government will …

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Irish Times Letters

| Readers 28

Irish Times Letters – Can’t quite link directly but two fabulous letters in today’s Irish Times: 1) Madam, If all our heroes and patriots stopped turning in their graves we might get some stability – Yours etc. Bill Ambrose, Dublin. 2) A chara – Following the generous offerings of aid from other quarters, can I ask if anything has been heard from the Choctaw Nation? – Is mise, Sean O Coilean, Corcaigh. DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about …

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Korea on the brink

| Readers 9

The BBC report on North Korea’s latest antics. North Korea has fired artillery shells across its western maritime border, prompting return fire from South Korea, reports say. Dozens of the shells landed on a South Korean island, witnesses say. A television station said some houses on the island were on fire, and Yonhap news agency said that four South Korean soldiers had been hurt. South Korea has issued its highest non-wartime alert in response to the incident, the defence ministry …

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Royal Wedding

| Readers 13

God almighty I hate Royal blasted weddings….. DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…

Offshore tax evasion crackdown expected to raise £10bn…

| Readers 18

Yesterday’s Guardian reports on Osbourne’s negotiations with Liechtenstein, Switzerland and a further 3 unidentified tax havens. The Treasury appear confident of raising £10bn over the next 5 years: The Treasury had only budgeted to raise £1bn across the parliament, mainly from an agreement with Liechtenstein. But George Osborne, the chancellor, is now expecting to raise £2bn to £3bn from secret bank accounts in the mini-state alone. Officials said a further £3bn was expected to be raised from Swiss bank accounts …

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Do you want the assembly now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?

| Readers 13

That’s the question in the Welsh referendum planned for March 3rd 2011. It, actually, isn’t as badly phrased as many suggestions….although the Electoral Commission’s preamble is a little ..well..long? PREAMBLE The National Assembly for Wales – what happens at the moment The Assembly has powers to make laws on 20 subject areas, such as: · agriculture · education · the environment · health · housing · local government In each subject area, the Assembly can make laws on some matters, …

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100 years ago today – Churchill and Tonypandy

| Readers 345

On November 9 1910 troops were despatched to the Rhondda and Cynon Valleys in response to industrial unrest and rioting in support of striking miners. Read the succinct Wiki. – and Rhondda Cynon Taf have a nice web-site. Tonypandy girl Carolyn Hitt writes very well: My own knowledge of the Rhondda’s most compelling historical event had also been passed down the generations. As the youngest child of my grandmother’s youngest child – her 12th – I had the oldest Nan …

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Glentoran – goal of the year….

| Readers 15

Matty Burrows’ wonder goal against Portadown has been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or-Puskas award. No wonder – it’s astonishing. ……and this one wasn’t bad… DewiWelsh Nationalist. Rugby Fan. Know a bit about History and Railways…

Autumn Internationals

| Readers 6

Has anyone else a bad feeling about these?

Here’s the fixtures:

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Dyfodol S4C (In Welsh to test the waters…)

| Readers 24

I gychwyn y ffeithiau: 1) Y BBC i ariannu S4C o incwm o’r drwydded. 2) Yr ariannu i ddisgyn o’r swm cyfredol o c. £100m y flwyddyn i gyfanswm o £83m erbyn 2014/15. 3) Partneriaeth rheoli ar egwyddorion cyffelyb i BBC Alba i gychwyn erbyn 2013/14, gyda Awdurdod S4C yn cytuno a rhyw fath o fwrdd y BBC ar strategaeth y wasanaeth. Yr adwaith? Geraint Talfan Davies yma There is no shortage of astonishment in Welsh broadcasting circles at the …

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