WEEK1 Initial Concept Generation

Got given out EMP briefs this week, as well as our first tutorials on concept generation for the project. To get things started I decided to look at the news websites to see if anything was happening in the world which was interesting and motivating. Here are some examples of what i have found.

Pirates seize second UK-flagged vessel in days

A UK-flagged cargo ship with 25 crew has been seized by pirates off Somalia, media reports say.

The Asian Glory was taken 620 miles (1,000km) off the Horn of Africa nation's coast, the Bulgarian foreign ministry said.

The vessel, which has a multi-national crew, is the second UK-flagged ship hijacked in days, after chemical tanker the St James Park was seized on Monday.

The waters around Somalia are among the most dangerous in the world.

Pirates! Even though this is quite concerning news, I feel compelled to go 'arrr'. You see I'm from Penzance, as in "The Pirates Of Penzance". On a more serious note. this is interesting, but i do not think that I would like do it for my EMP. NEXT

Sweden culls its resurgent wolves

Grey wolves have made a comeback since hunting was banned

Swedish hunters have begun culling wolves for the first time in 45 years after parliament ruled that numbers needed to be reduced again.

More than half the quota of 27 may have died on the first day alone with nine shot dead in Dalarna and up to nine killed in Varmland, Swedish radio says.

Hunters have until 15 February to complete the cull, which will leave Sweden with an estimated 210 wolves.

Schools closed and travellers hit as snow continues

Thousands of motorists have been delayed or stranded by the snow

Thousands of schools are closed and travellers have been hit by major disruption after new heavy snowfalls hit large parts of the UK.

Parts of Scotland and northern England have had more snow, which has also spread to southern areas of the UK.

Up to 5,000 homes in Sussex are without electricity after heavy snow brought down power lines to several villages.

Some rail firms have reduced services, many roads are badly affected and flights have been delayed or cancelled.

The worst-hit areas have been central southern England and parts of the South West and south Wales.

Counties most affected include Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Berkshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.