IndieNetwork

Despite the panic over PIP breast implants scandal and the economic downturn, research according to The Guardian suggests that breast augmentation is still the UK’s most popular form of cosmetic surgery among women. In 2011 an estimated 10,003 went under the knife and underwent breast enlargement, a swing of 6.2% from the 6202 that did in 2010.

It was reported early this year that the French breast implant producer, Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) had been making their implants from industrial-grade silicon normally used in other items such as mattresses. Cases of breast irritation were reported as well as major concern of some of the implants bursting, as well as a small number of patients becoming diagnosed with tumours, and other form of cancers as a result of the toxins released by the silicon. The scandal continues to be a huge issue even three months after it was first reported, and severely damaged the reputation of PIP; 30,000 to 40,000 women in the UK alone are thought to have the implants.

PIP is under fire.

More controversy was later drawn when the government announced that although the NHS would remove any implants for free (with prior consultation if it was necessary from a GP) the NHS would not replace the implants.

Will the increasing severity of PIP breast implant scandal affect the statistic of women choosing to have breast enlargement surgery next year however?

On a side note, The Guardian also reported that breast augmentation was the least popular cosmetic procedure for men.

Picture Credits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewlucas/4942919111/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcovdz/6626826493/

Today the Environment Agency announces that 17 counties across the South West and the Midlands are now in drought, affecting a further 15 million people. While water companies in the new drought areas say they have no plans to introduce hosepipe bans, they are urging customers to conserve water. Dr Barnaby Smith, an executive at the Government-funded Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said that in parts of England river levels are lower than they were in April 1976. East Anglia is thought to be the most badly affected area.

The for those of you well acquainted with the University of Central Lancashire, you will be aware that the Student Union President has been a hot topic over the past month, with the student Edd Hyde winning the election, as well as candidates winning other important positions in the student council, (e.g. in charge of coordinating activities). All over the UCLAN campus, statements such as ‘Vote for Bennett’ or ‘LA for Prez’ have been chalked up on most paving, paths, stairs and signs. Obviously this has been a no-expense spared alternating to proper, more legal canvasing, but some could argue this has defaced the campus, especially at a time so close to when prospective students are visiting open days.

With the election long gone, the chalk is still very much present around the uni, and so we are left to wonder whether the clean-up of the chalk is a responsibility of the candidates, as it was their campaign, or the UCLAN cleaning team, as this whole SU election was an official UCLAN movement, and this is to be expected.

So is all this harmless, very student-like work, or is it vandalisation of University property, and what do those who have seen the chalk feel about it? This report (shot on mobile phones) has more:

Blog Verdict: If these candidates cared fot their university so much, surely one of their priorities is clearing what they have left behind?

Related stories:

http://http://www.pluto-online.com/2012/03/su-elections-2012-the-winners/

http://www.uclansu.co.uk/

Yesterday the Chancellor announced the UK’s budget for the year.

Englebert Humperdinck, legendary crooner, has been selected to represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision.

Over the years we’ve had rappers, we’ve had a binman, and we’ve even had airline hostess. We almost (almost) had Katie Price, so surely having the 75 year old is a vast improvement.

Humperdinck exploded onto the music scene in 1967 when his first single, ‘Release Me’ famouly stopped The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ from reaching Number 1 in the UK charts.

45 years later, with dozens of awards and with sales of 150 million records worldwide under his belt he’s back to save UK from it’s slump of no wins.

The decision however has been mixed to say the least. Although there has been a wave of retro-esque music swseeping the UK in recent years, with the rise of Amy Winehouse and Dionne Warrick, is Britain prepaired to go seriously retro?

The song he’ll be singing is currently unkown, even though it has been reported that songwriter of Mary J Blige and James Blunt, Sacha Starbek will be in charge on writing it.

As stated with 150 million records sold the ‘Release Me Singer’ is more than qualified on paper to make a significant impact in the contest, but will this risky decision result in a null point?