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From February 8 to 10, London hosted the first One Young World Summit, an event where hundreds of young leaders from all over the world discussed issues including global business, political leadership and interfaith dialogue.

Bob Geldof brought reality crashing down on the One Young World summit, which united tomorrow’s leaders to attempt to steer the world in the right direction. The First Pint spoke to him in an exclusive interview.

Bob Geldof speaking at the One Young World conference. Photo Credit: Ines Ward

“One Young World. I mean, you know, it sounds like Disney!” he said, “I mean, what age are you—11? You are grown up, you know, and you could be politicians. Look at some of the captains and colonels of World War II—19, 21 you know. This is a proper grown-up age.”

Under the guidance of celebrity councillors such as Kofi Annan, Bob Geldof, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the young delegates passed resolutions for the future. However, Geldof warned them not to treat resolutions the way the politicians tend to do: “They write, they sign these bloody things and their signatures are meaningless. They don’t seem to understand that they are signing the honour and the dignity and the pride of a country that they represent.”

When asked, Geldof had a bluntly honest opinion about what the next step will be for the resolutions. “Nothing,” he said, “that’s why you have got to pursue and pursue it. Resolutions are useless unless they are implemented and they will only be implemented if there is a constant force. You must stay on it, and you must have the stamina, the intellectual stamina to stay on it.”

The conference brought together delegates under the age of 25 from 192 countries who were chosen for their social work and their potential as future leaders.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Photo Credit: Ines Ward

A heated debate took place on the future of Iran in Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, on Wednesday, during a meeting organized by the Don’t Attack Iran movement. The polemic arose when audience members discussed western interference in Iranian affairs and the risk of sanctions.

More than 150 people were present in the small church, a number of which were foreign students and members of the Iranian diaspora. The crowd gathered in a semi circle around the three speakers and the meeting moderator.

The meeting started with an intervention by Professor Ali Ansari, who teaches Iranian History at the University of St Andrews. He underlined the futility of sanctions against Iran and amongst others, said that having Ahmadinejad as President was punishment enough, as he has dilapidated the country’s economy. He also spoke of the resistance movement in Iran, as a civil rights movement fighting for basic human rights such as freedom of expression, and not necessarily aimed at toppling the Islamic Regime.

“Last advice to Western Governments, stand still and watch. Iranians know best what to do”, said Ali Fatholla-Nejad the next speaker, from the University of Westminster, who presented the Green Movement as “a continuation of the democratic struggle of the past 100 years”. Lindsay German from the Stop the War Coalition then spoke against western interference in developing nations.

The debate was then opened to the floor, and the debate began to heat up. Some participants started on endless passionate monologues about the imperialist agenda of the west, the woes of capitalism and the like. They were often interrupted by other participants with shouts of “What about the human rights” or “stinking counter revolution”. One man was repeatedly told by the moderator that he would have to leave if he refused to remain silent and let others speak.

Despite the disagreements, the majority of the audience greeted Lindsay German’s closing statement with a round of applause, “If you put your faith in the US and the UK to solve your internal democratic problems that is not going to happen”.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

The tradition of Christmas Dinner seems like the only time this skinny-obsessed society indulges in an orgy of food. If you decide to participate, you can be as easygoing or industrious as you like; Sainsbury’s and the local pub both offer Christmas fare, but you can always try to invite yourself to your English friend’s family dinner—odds are, mentioning your pitiful foray into online grocery shopping will guarantee an invitation. Just don’t get your timing wrong; the meal is usually eaten at midday.

If you happened to be on a diet before reading this article’s first paragraph, don’t fret—history will back you all the way if you decide to put on a few extra kilos this Christmas. The Christmas Feast for King John of England, circa 1213, consisted of 3000 capons (roosters), 1000 salted eels, 400 hogs, 100 pounds of almonds and 24 casks of wine. That guy knew how to celebrate.

The British touch to this festivity is the crackers—hollow cardboard tubes wrapped in bright paper. Two people pull the ends, there’s a bang, and then surprise: out fall the goodies. Most people end up with colourful party crowns on their heads.

Once the food is cleared, it seems most British families watch the live broadcast of the traditional Queen’s Speech and play board games. I somehow doubt they would want to play a football match.

If, after your midday dinner, a bit of wine has gone to your head, don’t suppress the urge to sing a few Christmas Carols—others are sure to join in.

So wherever your are on the 25th of December, The First Pint wishes you a hearty meal and a good time.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Hers is the level of obsession the X Factor generates. And judging from the numbers, the fever is contagious: a record 19 million people watched the finale this year, which represents 56 percent of all ratings from Sunday night.

The final kicked off with a two-hour session on Saturday. The highlights included new BFFs Olly Murs and Robbie Williams singing “Angels,” Stacie and Michael Buble boogying to “Feeling Good,” and Joe matching up to the vocals of pop legend George Michael. Stacie unfortunately got the axe, but she put on a brave face.

The main attraction was Sunday’s extravaganza. Dueling contenders Olly Murs and Joe McElderry sang two songs each, garnering rave comments from the judges and even some tears from Cheryl Cole. Leona Lewis sang once again, as did all 12 finalists (Go Jedward!), and George Michael chimed in with a Christmas ballad. But the biggest surprise of the night was Paul McCartney, who crooned two songs. He seemed thrilled when Simon Cowell told him, “you are through to the next round”.

At last the big moment came, and host Dermot took his time (seemingly forever) to announce the winner: Joe McElderry! Joe lifted mentor Cheryl off her feet in a massive hug and sputtered a dazed victory thank-you: “I can’t really speak, thank you so much everyone, Oh my God.” But he managed to push through the euphoria, giving a rousing performance of his new single, “The Climb.” His fellow contestants rushed the stage to congratulate him, fireworks shot off in the background and confetti fell from above. What a moment.

Was it worth the two hours I spent in front of the TV? For the 10 million people who voted last night, it wasn’t just worth it, it was magic—the same X Factor magic that convinced 200,000 people to apply for a chance at a million-pound record deal in the first place. I can only imagine how many will apply in 2010.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Sunday nights have become a national guilty pleasure as the population of Britain rushes home to watch the X Factor.

Sting dismissed the show as “televised karaoke”, but that hasn’t stopped it from being the most watched show in the UK.

The nation looks forward to the next disastrously entertaining show that Jedward will put up. How will Dannii do her hair this week? What harsh yet hilarious comment will Simon Cowell give us? Cheryl Cole has suddenly become the nation’s sweetheart, and Louis Walsh can be counted on to add extra spice to all that goes on.

The show’s participants are staying at the X factor house. Proof of the show’s popularity are the hoards of screaming teenagers camped outside this house, waiting to get a glimpse of their newest idols, the Irish twins John and Edward. The noise levels have reached such levels that neighboring houses, in including the Chinese Embassy, have complained to the police.

The show also brings on internationally renowned stars such as Shakira and the Black Eyed Peas, to publicize their latest songs.

In the end it all comes down to the public vote. This is the shows winning combination, as power to kick off the latest loser lies with the public.

People have complained that the show is rigged and that the results are unfair as the best singers seem to be leaving the show.

Who cares? We are as addicted to it as the rest of the British public!

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d (or by God’s mercy*)
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring. (Holla*)
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!

That was the night in 1605, when Parliament, King James I and most of the British ruling class were almost blown up. Guy Fawkes and his fellow guilty conspirators were burnt instead, which the British celebrate to this day by lighting bonfires.

Yet today Guy Fawkes is even more popular than James I. Thanks to him, we all get to celebrate….. Guy Fawkes night! It’s one of the most anticipated events in the calendar. His acts have inspired the country to produce absolutely tremendous firework shows, fires, burning effigies, great food, great beer and ultimately a magical night.

There were oohs and aahs at Wimbledon Park, as the firework show lit up the smiles on the faces all around me. We had gathered on a cold night, enduring a slight drizzle of rain and a 20-minute delay, after having paid £7 to get in.

But it was all worth it when the first fireworks went flying up. The show was synchronised with music, a variey of rock, RnB, jazz and – quite bizarrely – the NASA recordings of astronauts; Neil Armstrong’s communications from the moon. Yet somehow it all worked. I forgot my feet were wet and freezing. For 30 minutes, we all forgot our worries and were simply happy.

Guy Fawkes night is celebrated in differently ways all around the UK and other parts of the commonwealth. If you fancy carrying a burning barrel of tar through the streets, go to Ottery St Mary in Devon. Lewes in Sussex closes the town centre and then holds a torchlight procession in costume through the streets, after which they prefer burning an effigy of Pope Paul V.

In the town of Edenbridge they choose a living person to burn in effigy each year. This year the town elected glamour model Jordan as their victim for the flames.

Parliament did survive that night on the fifth of November, but a few years later the British civil war killed most of those aristocrats, including James I’s own son, Charles I. Guy Fawkes must be having the last laugh.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.