Sabtu, 27 Juli 2013

Britain and Australia reject republicanism

Three quarters of people asked in a recent opinion poll believe that the newborn Prince George of Cambridge will one day accede to the throne to which he is third in line, the ComRes survey for The Sunday Telegraph found.

Just 9 per cent of those questioned think that he will not become king because Britain will have become a republic - whereas a poll in 2011 found that a quarter of people expected a republic to emerge within 50 years.

Even among 18 to 24-year-olds, the age group most likely to hold republican views, today’s poll shows a solid 69 per cent believe that Prince George will one day become king.

The poll suggests that the majority of the country sees no benefit in republicanism, with some two thirds of those polled (66 per cent) thinking that Britain is better off as a monarchy.

Only 17 per cent wanted a republic instead.

As a coincidence Rupert Murdoch's newspaper The Australian published an article two days before the UK poll became public stating that Modern Monarchy depresses republicans.

[Australian Republican Movement (ARM) national director David Morris], "the man charged with leading the push for Australia to become a republic admits he's 'very depressed'.

"The ARM national director insists most people want Australia to become a republic when the current Queen's reign ends.

"In the early 1990s some 70 per cent of Australians wanted a republic while 30 per cent were monarchists.

"But since the failed 1999 referendum, support for a republic has dropped to about 40 per cent.

"'This week the media has taken a lot more interest in talking about Australian nationhood at a time of a UK event and yet when we try and talk about Australia (and a republic) the media has no interest,' Morris says.

"'It's very depressing.'"

Even in The Age's editorial Hooray! A new Royal. May he never be our king despite its vitriolic tone, depression shines through:

"Here, republican sentiment has largely been dormant since the 1999 referendum, absent a convincing champion to drive the quest anew. But the arguments for Australia to sever ties to the monarchy have only become more compelling as Asia has boomed."

Why the Asian economic boom should have anything to day with Australia's form of state is The Age's secret. As an independent nation Australia said No in a fair and free referendum in 1999, something most Asian nation never experienced. With its rejection of republicanism Australia could become a model for the emerging countries in Asia.

Prince George of Cambridge celebrated by Australia Post


Australia Post celebrates the birth of the future King of Australia with a stamp.
Australia Post is celebrating the birth of Prince George to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with the release of an instant stamp sheetlet.

The stamp features an image of the Royal couple leaving St Mary’s Hospital Paddington with their newly-born son and will be available in a sheetlet of 10 x 60c stamps from participating Australia Post retail outlets from Monday, 29th July 2013.

The Prince was born on 22nd July at 4.24pm BST. The newest member of the Royal Family was introduced to the world the following day on the steps of the hospital, in the arms of his proud parents. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have since named their son George Alexander Louis.

“Australia Post is delighted to celebrate the birth of a baby boy to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with a sheetlet of stamps that captures the first public appearance of the happy family,” said Australia Post Managing Director and CEO, Ahmed Fahour.

We expect the instant stamps will be well received as was the Royal Wedding instant stamp sheetlet in 2011. We encourage stamp collectors and followers of special events to put their orders in early to avoid disappointment.”

The birth of a future monarch is always a highly anticipated event and the child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who will be third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William, was no exception.

The sons of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IICharles, Andrew and Edward – were born at Buckingham Palace, while Princess Anne was born at Clarence House. Today the preferred birthing facility used by the Royal Family is the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. The baby’s father Prince William was born there, as was his uncle Prince Harry.

A notice of the birth was attached to an ornate easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, with the media officially informed. There were royal gun salutes across London heralding the new arrival.

The designer of the stamp is Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio. The associated products available are a commemorative cover, stamp pack, maxicard and a booklet of 10 x 60c self-adhesive stamps.

The Royal Baby stamp issue is available from 29th July 2013 at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.

Jumat, 26 Juli 2013

Spanish King and Queen comfort the victims of the Santiago de Compostela train crash


Queen Sofîa and King Juan Carlos in the university Hospital of Santiago de Compostela.



One day after the horrific train accident in Santiago de Compostela King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofìa of Spain travelled to the capital of the province of Galicia to meet the families of the victims and injured passengers.

When they visited the university hospital their Majesties were accompanied by the head of the provincial government (Xunta de Galicia,) Alberto Nuñez Feijoo.

The King and Queen thank the hospital staff for their efforts to save lives.
Don Juan Carlos expressed his support for the injured and the families of the victims: "The whole of Spain is aware of this [tragedy] and really all Spaniards join the pain of the families of the dead and we hope that the injured will recover little by little. We are grateful for the volunteers, professionals and blood donors for how they behaved and for the community spirit they have shown. We thank all of you."

"All I can say is that  at this time, all Spaniards join the victims, the families and friends of the victims."

Before finishing their visit to Santiago de Compostela, the King and Queen also visited the Hospital La Rosaleda, where its director, Rafael Silva, accompanied them on a brief visit to some of the injured and their families.

Hospital officials said 141 people were injured, and 36 remained in critical condition, among them four children. The high-speed train crash killed at least 80 people.

The Alvia 730 series train started from Madrid and was scheduled to end its journey at El Ferrol, about 95 kilometres north of Santiago de Compostela.

It is the deadliest rail disaster in Spain since 1944.