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Recent RP Data research shows 6,054 first home buyers were committed to housing finance in August . This was the lowest month reading since June 2000 . Research director Tim Lawless says affordability constraints are dampening first home buyer demand . The changes in availability of First Home Buyer grants also caused the record low .

First home buyer activity has hit a new low with recent research showing August recorded the lowest levels in 15 years. There were 6,054 first home buyers committed to housing finance over the month, according to RP Data research which used housing finance data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is the lowest month reading since June 2000, outside of the seasonally low months of January and February. The dramatic decline since then was caused by rising property prices, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, and the changes made to the availability of First Home Buyer grants. Scroll down for video . Recent RP Data research shows 6,054 first home buyers were committed to housing finance in August - the lowest since June 2000 . Lavish properties like this Mediterranean-style home in Sydney's most expensive street in Point Piper - in the eastern suburb - seem well out of reach for first home buyers . The palatial home, which boasts 270 degree views of Sydney Habour, is on Wolseley Road and sold for more than $37 million earlier in the month . The price set a nationwide record for a non waterfront home and was the highest priced sale recorded so far in 2014 . RP Data research director Tim Lawless found the ABS housing finance data underlined a severe lack of first home buyer participation in the market. He says that the broad slowdown in first home buyer demand can probably be attributed to a few factors. 'With dwelling values rising at a time when average wages aren't rising anywhere near the same pace, affordability constraints are dampening first home buyer demand,' he said. 'This is particularly the case in Sydney and Melbourne where dwelling values have risen substantially.' Mr Lawless adds that The First Home Buyer Grant has had a huge impact on the market over the years. He says the grant boost of $14,000 in 2009 increased the number of active first timers in the housing market, reaching a record high of 18,744 in May. 'When the "boost" to the First Home Buyers Grant was scaled back in October 2009 and then removed in January 2010 we saw first home buyer numbers virtually fall off a cliff,' Mr Lawless said. This trend has followed suit over the years with changes to either stamp duty concessions or eligibility to first home buyer grants. A director of the research says affordability constraints are dampening first home buyer demand and changes to the availability of First Home Buyer grants also caused the record low . Mr Lawless says more first time buyers are purchasing investment properties, which doesn't include them in the Bureau of Statistics first home buyer figures. RP Data Research director Tim Lawless . 'Where a first home buyer isn't eligible for a grant or concession they may simply be flying under the radar and not being counted,' Mr Lawless said. 'For many first home buyers, the areas where they would like to live are simply too expensive for them to buy into, so they purchase an investment property while renting in an area closer to where they work and play.' The states and territories showing the most severe first home buyer trends are NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. While stronger first home buyer trends and conditions were recorded in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. However that trend has remained stagnant since mid-2013 in South Australia and Western Australia but has remained quite active in Tasmania, Mr Lawless says is reportedly the most affordable state for housing.

By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . David Cameron today faced claims the government caved in to pressure from the drinks industry to ditch plans to impose minimum alcohol pricing. Ministers met drinks firms, trade bodies and supermarkets dozens of times before dropping the policy last year. Tory MP Sarah Wollaston said condemned the ‘shabby truth’ which had emerged while Labour accused the Prime Minister of ‘cosying up to vested interests’. Downing Street had championed the idea of setting a minimum price at which alcohol could be sold, but it was dropped last year . The Home Office carried out a consultation on a 45p minimum unit price which would mean a can of strong lager could not be sold for less than £1.56 and a bottle of wine for less than £4.22. But the Government shelved its plans to set a minimum per-unit price for alcohol last summer, even though it had been championed by Mr Cameron. It sparked claims that he had been influenced by his party's election strategist, Australian lobbyist Lynton Crosby, whose firm is reported to have represented drinks giants. An investigation by the British Medical Journal showed how ministers at the Department of Health, the Treasury and Home Office met with the alcohol industry numerous times while the policy was being consulted on. It even included Chancellor George Osborne having a beer named after him by a group lobbying for minimum alcohol pricing to be dropped. David Cameron has faced claims of caving into pressure from the drinks industry . The Department of Health held regular meetings with representatives from the drinks industry. It included two meetings after the official public consultation on minimum pricing had ended. A report by Sheffield University which found evidence that forcing the price of alcohol up would reduce crime and prevent deaths was also never released to the public. Labour’s shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: ‘Once again, David Cameron has been found out cosying up to vested interests and standing up for the wrong people. It has become a hallmark of his Government. ‘Public health policy is in utter disarray. After the tobacco industry last year, these revelations raise yet more concerns about the influence of big business on this Government’s policies. ‘The Prime Minister once promised action on a minimum alcohol price but in government has been more interested in listening to lobbyists and vested interests than ordinary people.’ Dr Wollaston, a GP elected for the Conservatives in 2010, said it revealed ‘the shabby truth about the ditching of minimum pricing’ adding it is a ‘disgrace’ that the Sheffield University study was ‘supressed’. A group of 22 health professionals including Sir Ian Gilmore, special adviser on alcohol at the Royal College of Physicians, accused the Government of ‘deplorable practices’. They said: ‘Today, the public learns of the deplorable practices that were instrumental in the Government's decision to reverse its commitment to save thousands of lives by implementing a minimum unit price for alcohol. ‘An investigation conducted by the British Medical Journal shows that ministers met drinks industry representatives to discuss alternative measures to minimum pricing at a time when the principle of this policy was not up for public debate. ‘We call on the Government to stop dancing to the tune of the drinks industry and prioritise public health,’ they wrote in a letter to the Daily Telegraph. Write caption here . Public health minister Jane Ellison said government had to ‘weigh lots of things in the balance’. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: ‘I know that many public health experts feel very strongly about this policy but we also had to weigh up the impact it would have on low income households, the impact it would have on people drinking responsibly. ‘Wider government has to take these things into consideration. On the health issue this idea of the 130 meetings, many of the public health experts were in those meetings.’ She added: ‘We are not proceeding at the moment, that was the conclusion of the consultation, that was what the Government said.’ A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Minimum unit pricing is still under consideration. ‘As you would expect from a government department seeking to effect public health change through a voluntary deal with industry, a wide group of officials have many different meetings with a vast range of stakeholders, and we utterly reject the allegation of anything untoward in the small proportion of those that took place with the alcohol industry.’

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What does PLDA stand for?

The Professional Lighting Designers Association (PLDA), formerly known as ELDA is an organisation focusing on the promotion of the profession of Architectural Lighting Design. They publish a monthly newsletter and organise different events throughout the world.

The 1971 Local Government White Paper proposed abolishing county boroughs, which would have left Plymouth, a town of 250,000 people, being administered from a council based at the smaller Exeter, on the other side of the county. This led to Plymouth lobbying for the creation of a Tamarside county, to include Plymouth, Torpoint, Saltash, and the rural hinterland. The campaign was not successful, and Plymouth ceased to be a county borough on 1 April 1974 with responsibility for education, social services, highways and libraries transferred to Devon County Council. All powers returned when the city become a unitary authority on 1 April 1998 under recommendations of the Banham Commission.

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What do some people think we need more of to prevent for-profit providers of TB treatment from over-prescribing?

Slow progress has led to frustration, expressed by executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – Mark Dybul: "we have the tools to end TB as a pandemic and public health threat on the planet, but we are not doing it." Several international organizations are pushing for more transparency in treatment, and more countries are implementing mandatory reporting of cases to the government, although adherence is often sketchy. Commercial treatment-providers may at times overprescribe second-line drugs as well as supplementary treatment, promoting demands for further regulations. The government of Brazil provides universal TB-care, which reduces this problem. Conversely, falling rates of TB-infection may not relate to the number of programs directed at reducing infection rates, but may be tied to increased level of education, income and health of the population. Costs of the disease, as calculated by the World Bank in 2009 may exceed 150 billion USD per year in "high burden" countries. Lack of progress eradicating the disease may also be due to lack of patient follow-up – as among the 250M rural migrants in China.

Support for the LRC was boosted by the 1901 Taff Vale Case, a dispute between strikers and a railway company that ended with the union being ordered to pay £23,000 damages for a strike. The judgement effectively made strikes illegal since employers could recoup the cost of lost business from the unions. The apparent acquiescence of the Conservative Government of Arthur Balfour to industrial and business interests (traditionally the allies of the Liberal Party in opposition to the Conservative's landed interests) intensified support for the LRC against a government that appeared to have little concern for the industrial proletariat and its problems.

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In the US, what is the main tool to track and stimulate voluntary actions?

The driving force behind voluntary green electricity within the EU are the liberalized electricity markets and the RES Directive. According to the directive the EU Member States must ensure that the origin of electricity produced from renewables can be guaranteed and therefore a "guarantee of origin" must be issued (article 15). Environmental organisations are using the voluntary market to create new renewables and improving sustainability of the existing power production. In the US the main tool to track and stimulate voluntary actions is Green-e program managed by Center for Resource Solutions. In Europe the main voluntary tool used by the NGOs to promote sustainable electricity production is EKOenergy label.

Support for the LRC was boosted by the 1901 Taff Vale Case, a dispute between strikers and a railway company that ended with the union being ordered to pay £23,000 damages for a strike. The judgement effectively made strikes illegal since employers could recoup the cost of lost business from the unions. The apparent acquiescence of the Conservative Government of Arthur Balfour to industrial and business interests (traditionally the allies of the Liberal Party in opposition to the Conservative's landed interests) intensified support for the LRC against a government that appeared to have little concern for the industrial proletariat and its problems.

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Would "Leaderless resistance" work in reality in the UK?

I think that's called anarchy. I'm not aware of a single instance where anarchy has been a positive thing.

Sorry , you will have the PC police onto you , (PC police ! ah , ah, I've just realised what I wrote )\nyou have someone living down the lane ! when all those less fortunate have to make do with council funded hostel accomodation , tch ! I'm afraid you will have to go on a homeless awareness course , lunch provided for vegan cyclists only . ( yes I am bored )

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I am a UK state pensioner (dual citizenship) now living in Canada returning for a 3 week visit to UK - will NHS cover me?

Dual Canadian and British citizen - healthcare coverage in the UK?

Dual Canadian and British citizen - healthcare coverage in the UK?

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The Canadian province of Manitoba has apologised to indigenous families for decades of forced adoptions.

Premier Greg Selinger said on Thursday the practice left "intergenerational scars and cultural loss". The programme sought to integrate children into mainstream Canadian society, but in doing so rid them of their native culture. The Canadian government apologised in 2008, but this is first time a province has taken responsibility. "I hope that we can join together down a new path of reconciliation, healing and co-operation," Mr Selinger said. "There is a long road ahead of us. It takes time to heal great pain." Hundreds of thousands of indigenous children were taken away from their parents by welfare services and put into the care of mostly white families between the 1960s and 1980s in Canada. In some cases, the forced adoptions resulted in the rape and beatings of the indigenous children by their adoptive parents. Justice Murray Sinclair, head of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said he was happy about the apology, but if there is no action, it is meaningless. The Commission's work recently concluded. Its report found rules that required Canadian aboriginals to attend state-funded church schools were responsible for "cultural genocide". The group was created in 2006 as part of a $5bn (£3.3bn) class action settlement between the government, churches and the surviving students. "The real question though is how are they going to change?" he said. "Everyone needs to accept the fact that they have been responsible for the perpetuation of the cultural genocide that we identified." Survivors are still healing. Survivor Joseph Maud was separated from his family when he was five and sent to a Canadian residential school for indigenous students in Manitoba, he told the BBC. The worst part was being separated from his parents, cousins, uncles and aunts, he said. "I cried going down on my knees, and my thoughts were 'when is this going to end? Somebody help me,' calling out for my parents."

Authorities say the move will kickstart hundreds of billions of dollars in stalled projects across the country. Critics say the new rules will be unfair to farmers and the rural poor. Industrialists had raised concerns over a law approved by the last Congress government in January which made it tough to acquire land from farmers. At present, the companies have to obtain the consent of 80% of people living on the land before acquiring it and landowners have to be paid up to four times the market value for land in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas. Several states had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to amend the law saying it was making projects unviable. In July last year, the world's largest steel company, ArcelorMittal, and South Korean firm Posco separately abandoned plans to build steel plants in India because of problems acquiring land. On Monday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said although the compensation package would remain as before, the "consent clause" would be waived in five categories, including for defence, national security, low-cost housing and rural infrastructure projects. "If land is needed for these five activities, rules will be relaxed while higher compensation to farmers whose land is acquired will continue to apply," Mr Jaitley said. The executive order, called ordinance, must now be approved by the parliament within six months. Prime Minister Modi has promised to step up the pace of reforms to revive India's slowing economy and in the last few days has used executive orders to pass reforms since it lacks a majority in the upper house of parliament. Last week, the cabinet passed two orders to raise foreign investment in the insurance sector and allow commercial mining of coal. Opposition parties have criticised the ordinances saying they undermine the parliamentary system in a democracy.

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The demand for "designer puppies" in Scotland has led to a rise in unlicensed breeding, MSPs at Holyrood have been told.

The Scottish SPCA's Mark Rafferty also said there was an "unquenchable" appetite for designer breeds of dogs. He spoke to the Public Petitions Committee which is considering calls to regulate the sale and "deplorable" living conditions of puppies. Members agreed to write to ministers and Police Scotland over the matter. They will also take the views of animal welfare groups and local councils. Mr Rafferty claimed that designer breeds commanded price tags averaging £1,000 per puppy. He added that celebrity and consumer culture was contributing to animals and dogs being seen as "throwaway commodities" for some people. Mr Rafferty said: "Unfortunately, I can't give you a number but it is a very serious and significant amount of animals that are coming into Scotland." The Holyrood committee is looking at a petition from campaigner Eileen Bryant from Stranraer. She wants tougher action to address the farming and illegal transportation of puppies. Mr Rafferty said that while Scotland did not have a problem with large-scale puppy farms as in Ireland, there was "very little" enforcement at the sales end which is subject to unlicensed trading. He agreed with Conservative MSP Maurice Corry, who suggested fashions were having a "significant impact in driving demand and potentially leading to an increase in unlicensed breeding". Mr Rafferty said: "What you are getting is irresponsible or downright deceitful breeding of adult dogs that are producing pups that actually don't fit the breed standard because there is no breed standard. "So, there is a cavalier or irresponsible approach by the breeders to the puppies." Ms Bryant's petition urges the Scottish government to investigate measures to regulate the sales; look at the conditions in which the puppies are kept and to consider a campaign to raise public awareness.

A consumer watchdog report last year found residents suffered unscrupulous, intimidating or criminal behaviour from some site owners and operators. Liberal Democrat AM Peter Black' tabled his private member's bill to give both residents and site owners clear rights. He said many of Wales's 96 park homes sites are run well but there is little legal help when disputes arise. The new law will not apply to holiday sites - only to sites where people have permanent homes. "Under the current law there is little protection for residents from unscrupulous park homes site owners, a minority of whom may exploit their position for personal gain," Mr Black said. "Problems can include poor site management and vetoing or deterring legitimate sales. "My bill will stop this unfairness. "Wales will have a new system that will protect people by bringing in fair, easy-to-use processes and clear rights for both residents and site owners." Mr Black said there would be a "fit and proper" persons test for site owners, and a licensing system to give home owners confidence that the site they live on is effectively managed. Sites owners could be fined up to £10,000 if they breach their licenses. It is the first private member's bill to be passed in Cardiff Bay under new law-making powers devolved to the Welsh assembly from Westminster in 2011. Consumer Focus Wales (CFW) found last year that many people lost thousands of pounds because of high rents, poor maintenance and site operators blocking home sales. However the British Holiday and Home Parks Association - representing park operators - responded at the time by saying most site owners were law-abiding and that authorities should enforce existing laws.

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A Kent council claims it is being "forced into a corner" as proposed cuts to government grants could leave a shortfall of more than £500,000.

Thanet District Council said it was considering a 2% rise in the authority's part of the council tax. Councillor Rick Everitt, cabinet member for finance, said the council had seen a 28% reduction in government funding over the past two years. "Further cuts to the council purse are really unwelcome," he said. The council said figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government showed the council was likely to be left short of £580,000 for the next financial year. Mr Everitt said: "Having already suffered a reduction of 28% in government funding over the past two years, resources are stretched to the absolute limit. "This additional reduction of over half a million pounds has forced us into a corner." From Monday, the council will be asking for residents' views on which services should be a priority. The council said final figures were expected in December and would be debated at a meeting in January.

The scheme will see the town hall converted to house "nationally significant" collections. Kirkcudbright Common Good Fund agreed to support the project with a total of £130,000. The money will allow the creation of a second floor gallery to host a hoard of Viking treasure found in the region.

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Homeowners living in high flood-risk areas of the UK should now be able to save hundreds of pounds on their insurance premiums.

A new scheme called Flood Re has been designed to cut bills for those whose homes are in danger of flooding. Up to now, thousands of householders have been paying large additional premiums to make sure their homes and possessions are protected. About 350,000 homes could benefit - although thousands will be excluded. The cost will ultimately fall on ordinary policy-holders, who will pay an extra £10.50 on their premiums on average. As many as 15,000 homeowners made insurance claims for storm and flood damage last winter. Insurance companies should now be able to lower premiums, as they can pass on the flood risk element of policies to the reinsurer Flood Re. Householders who are eligible will also see their policy excesses - the amount they have to pay towards a claim - capped at £250. Previously, some people had to pay several thousand pounds towards repairs. However, houses built since 2009 will not be covered by the scheme. This was done to discourage developers from building on land at risk of flooding. Businesses are also excluded, as are landlords who take out insurance policies on homes they do not occupy themselves. The scheme has also been criticised by a group of climate change experts, who said it did not offer good value for money. "It achieves very poor value for money because it is trying to subsidise the costs of flooding, rather than addressing the causes and trying to prevent flooding in the first place," said Daniel Johns, head of adaptation on the Climate Change Committee (CCC). Initially 17 insurance companies are taking part in the scheme. If necessary, they can pass on any flood risk to Flood Re, which has been funded by the insurance industry as a whole. Its costs will be covered by an industry levy of £180m a year. Most insurance companies are expected to pass on that cost to their customers, raising average bills by around 2%. But Brendan McCafferty, chief executive of Flood Re, said flood-risk consumers should benefit from greater choice and more competition. "This should make flood cover more affordable and accessible to those in high flood risk areas over time," he said. However, consumers will not need to contact Flood Re directly, as this will be done by existing insurance companies. Shira Kimmerling, whose home in Hebden Bridge was flooded on Boxing Day 2015, was previously unable to afford insurance. But she told the BBC that, under the Flood Re scheme, she would now be able to pay for cover. "I think it's wonderful news," she told the Today programme on Radio 4. "But after all, it's not a very sustainable and cost-effective plan in the long term. We need to invest in flood resilience." Those who have already taken out household policies are being advised by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to talk to their providers. If they want to switch to a cheaper policy, they should ask if it is possible to avoid cancellation charges. But the ABI also said there was no rush to change policies immediately. One of the firms taking part, Axa Insurance, said it would embark upon a proactive contact campaign "to ensure that the impact of Flood Re for the most exposed is felt as soon as possible".

Conservative MPs cheered as English and Welsh members prepared to give their consent to parts of the Housing and Planning Bill that only apply to their constituencies. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said he was "very proud" to be implementing the reforms. But the SNP said the changes were "driving Scotland out of the door". They were introduced in response to calls for a stronger voice for English MPs following increased devolution to Scotland. Where parts of a bill are deemed to only affect England, or England and Wales, a new stage is added to the usual law-making process at which only MPs for English - or English and Welsh - constituencies can vote. Following the end of the Housing Bill's report stage, Speaker John Bercow suspended the sitting of the Commons for five minutes before finalising which provisions applied to which nations. After MPs debated the new rules - MPs representing Scottish constituencies were entitled to speak but not to vote - the "consent motion" for England and Wales was agreed without a division. The Housing Bill, which includes an extension of the right-to-buy for housing association tenants in England, was later approved by all MPs at third reading stage.

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The control of fire services in Wales should be offered to police and crime commissioners (PCC), it has been argued.

Dyfed-Powys PCC Christopher Salmon has called on the Welsh government to adopt the same plans floated in England. It follows a report in The Times that PCCs would replace fire authorities under UK government plans to be announced next month. The Welsh government said it would be better to devolve policing. Mr Salmon welcomed the initiative and said: "Joining up budgets and accountability is the best way to join up services for the public. "Bringing emergency services together will help local areas innovate to improve safety for the public. "Wales must not be left behind. "Fire and rescue services are currently under Cardiff control [Welsh government]. I call on our partners in the Welsh government to demonstrate their commitment to devolution and explore ways to devolve fire and rescue services to PCC areas in Wales." A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We fully support greater co-ordination between the emergency services, but we do not believe that giving police and crime commissioners responsibility for the fire service in Wales is the best way to achieve that. "Devolving responsibility for policing to the Welsh government would allow us to facilitate closer joint working across all three blue light services better than passing responsibility for fire and rescue services to PCCs."

That is the total amount that claims management companies charged clients to process their complaints. MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said they were disappointed the money did not go to the victims of the scandal. Their report said this amounted to "a failure of regulation and redress". Consumers can complain directly to the Ombudsman free of charge - yet so far, 80% of those who have done so, have chosen to go through claims management companies, which take up to a third of any money paid out. Since April 2011, more than £22bn has been paid out in compensation to those who were sold the insurance policies by banks, but did not necessarily need them. Members of the PAC were critical of the role of the regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Treasury. It said they, and others, were too slow in taking responsibility for the situation and "too passive in allowing it to happen". The committee said it was also concerned about future potential mis-selling - for example, with people who have accessed money from their pension savings. The Treasury said it would respond to the report formally in due course. In the meantime, a Treasury spokesperson said: "The government's position is clear. The mis-selling of financial products is wrong and the victims of mis-selling must receive the compensations due to them." For its part, the FCA said it was considering the recommendations in the PAC's report and welcomed its point that "central to preventing mis-selling is firms having the right culture". "We remain focused on culture and will continue to encourage and cajole the industry as it delivers cultural change," an FCA spokesman said. "Firms' culture and governance is one of the priority areas set out in our business plan. However, it is right that firms themselves take the responsibility for setting, shaping and maintaining their own culture, one with the interests of consumers at its heart." The FCA is still considering whether to impose a deadline for all PPI complaints.

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With the process of privatisation, it is difficult to find an example of UK state-owned firm? Can somebody please help me out

Royal Mail, Post Office, BBC, Network Rail

Read the book below. It will open your eyes to a new way of looking at the Bible.\n\nExample: how Jesus said not to try and take the speck out of someone else's eye when you have a plank in yours. Picture in your mind how it would look. It's a funny analogy he is making!

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An overhauled state pension - being paid to new, rather than existing pensioners - has begun, with some set to gain while others lose out.

The government's long-term aim is simplification, stripping away extras such as the second state pension. It will also become cheaper, in time, for the government with many of those in their 20s and 30s receiving less than they would under the old system. But in the short-term, the self-employed particularly will benefit. A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokeswoman said: "Millions stand to gain from the changes to the state pension, including women and the self-employed who so often lost out in the past. "The new state pension will provide a sustainable system for future generations who will also benefit from workplace pension savings throughout their careers." However, the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that the new single tier, or flat-rate, element of the new system may have been overstated, leading to the risk of "disillusionment" from new pensioners. "The aim is to replace the complex mess of existing rules with a new, far simpler system that rewards a wide range of contributions - whether that be paid employment or caring for children - in exactly the same way," said Rowena Crawford, of the IFS. "We estimate that women will gain on average £5.20 per week in additional state pension income at the state pension age, and those who have been self-employed for at least 10 years will gain an average of £7.50 per week. "But continued complexity is unavoidable in the short-run. There is a considerable risk of disillusionment as people start claiming pension incomes this year." She said that some would receive a "nasty surprise" when they realised they would receive less than the advertised "flat-rate" of £155.65 a week. For more information about whether you are a winner or a loser under the new system, click here. The basic state pension, which is still being paid to existing pensioners, is worth about £120 a week, plus top-ups such as the state second pension for those who qualify. The new state pension will be paid to men born after 6 April 1951 and women born after 6 April 1953. To qualify for any state pension under the new system, individuals will need to have 10 years of National Insurance contributions. To receive the full amount, of £155.65, they will need to have 35 qualifying years. Some, primarily public sector workers, will receive less than the full amount if they were contracted out of the state second pension. In practical terms, this meant they paid less in National Insurance contributions, but more into their workplace pension scheme. The most significant change in the long-term is the abolition of the state second pension. The effect, as revealed by BBC News earlier in the week, is that 11.4 million younger workers will get less out of the new system than they would have done had the old system carried on, according to the Pensions Policy Institute. By 2050, about half of retirees will get a higher pay-out, with half getting a lower pay-out. Assuming a pension age of 70 by then, in general, people born before 1980 can, on average, expect to do better out of the new system, but those born after that date are likely to fare worse.

The new buzzwords are to be "outcomes" and "indicators". They are words most people living in Scotland or Finland will be very familiar with. Because Stormont's administrators have been studying what happens in those countries and they like what they see. Scotland has a series of sixteen National Outcomes which describe what the Government there wants to do over the next ten years. This so-called outcomes based approach to government focuses on actual results achieved. The theory is it allows the government and wider public sector to focus on making sustainable improvements to public services and the quality of life for people in Scotland. A series of indicators allow them to track progress towards the achievements of these outcomes. Sources close to the negotiations for a programme for government at Stormont say this is the model they intend to follow. One source said it is about "doing things differently" and denied the change was merely cosmetic. As a first step a "framework" programme for government will be produced in just over a fortnight. It will then go out to consultation. At the end of this year it will be replaced with a detailed programme for government. There will also be a budget, not for one year but for the next three to four years. And there will be documents setting out strategies on the economy, capital investment and social policy strategy. Sources say this is not a programme for one Assembly mandate but for a 10 - 15 year period. They say it will also require the civil service to be "more outward facing." Politically, this seems the model Sinn Féin and the DUP intend to move forward with - with or without the other parties. Can the SDLP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance agree to go into the next Executive on the basis of a "framework" programme knowing they won't get the real detail for another seven months?

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Culling dairy cows could help solve problems within the industry, a Welsh farming leader has suggested.

Eifion Huws, chairman of the Farmers Union of Wales' (FUW) milk committee, told BBC Radio Cymru's Post Cyntaf programme "extreme thinking" was needed to halt overproduction. He added: "Perhaps it's time to bring back a cull for some of the cattle." Meanwhile, supermarket Morrisons announced it will sell a new milk brand with 10p per litre paid to farmers. It followed a meeting between the supermarket and representatives from the UK's four main farming unions - the National Farmers' Union, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Ulster Farmers' Union, along with lobby group Farmers for Action. Some farmers are being paid less than the cost of production, according to the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Huws added: "Many people may not like to hear us saying that but we're still overproducing, we're producing 40 pints a person extra compared to a year ago and this is one of the roots of the problem."

More than 100 farmers from southern Tamil Nadu state had mounted an eye-catching protest in the capital, Delhi, more than a month ago. They brandished human skulls, held live mice in their mouths, shaved their heads, and slashed their hands. They were demanding waivers on farm loan repayments and relief funds, among other things. Reports say that the farmers, who had been camping in a makeshift tent near Delhi's Jantar Mantar observatory for 40 days, called off their protest on Sunday after an assurance from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami that their demands would be met. The farmers union said they would resume their protest if their demands were not met by 25 May. Tamil Nadu is facing its worst farming crisis in decades because of lack of water due to poor rainfall, low crop prices, and dwindling access to formal credit. More than 50 debt-stricken farmers have taken their lives in drought-affected districts since October, according to officials. A local farmers association insists the number of farm-related suicides and death of farmers is more than 250. The farmers are demanding ample drought relief funds, pensions for elderly farmers, a waiver on repayments of loans, better prices for their crops and the interlinking of rivers to irrigate their lands.

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Easyjet pilots are considering strike action that could fall over the October half term, the airline has confirmed.

A ballot on industrial action is taking place and will conclude on 21 September, the pilots union Balpa said. In a letter to pilots leaked to The Daily Telegraph, Balpa outlined strike action blaming a "dispute with Easyjet purely concerning pilot fatigue". The airline said in a statement that it was "committed to finding a resolution to the issues raised". If pilots vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could take place at any time after the ballot closes. Balpa told pilots in its letter that "we have been forced to take such extreme measures". It added: "The core issue of the dispute was that fatigue had risen year on year, to levels pilots and Balpa find unacceptable." Easyjet, which has around 2,000 UK-based pilots, said pilots' workloads were set by the Civil Aviation Authority. It said: "Although Balpa has informed us they are balloting their members, Easyjet and Balpa continue to work together... "We still hope to reach a mutually agreeable solution". Easyjet operates in more than 30 countries, flying to popular holiday destinations such as France, Italy and Spain.

The poll found 49% of primary schools and 57% of secondaries have cut back on TAs, while 18% of primaries and 54% of secondaries have cut teaching staff. Information technology (IT) equipment and trips and outings are also being scaled back, it suggested. The government said school funding was at record levels. IT equipment is being cut back by 35% of primaries and 38% of secondaries, the survey of 1,361 teachers by the National Foundation for Educational Research found. Outings and trips are being affected in nearly a third of schools - 30% of primary and 32% of secondary schools. The poll also suggested some schools are using funding for disadvantaged pupils (the pupil premium) to subsidise the school budget. Of the 420 senior leaders who took part in the survey, 32% of primary and 27% of secondary senior staff say the pupil premium is being used to plug gaps elsewhere in the school's budget. Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust and chairman of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: "Our new polling adds to the growing evidence from highly credible sources that the squeeze on school budgets is having a detrimental effect on schools. "Many are having to get rid of teachers to close these funding gaps. "Of particular concern is that schools are having to use funding for poorer pupils to plug gaps in their finances. "The pupil premium should be used for highly cost-effective interventions such as peer tutoring and pupil feedback." A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said: "All schools are trusted to use this [pupil] premium to ensure it meets the needs of their students and are held to account by Ofsted for how disadvantaged pupils benefit from the extra funding." "We recognise that schools are facing cost pressures and we will continue to provide support to help them use their funding in cost-effective ways," the spokeswoman said.

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The Scottish Parliament has officially taken on significant new tax powers with the formal transfer of control from Westminster.

Orders have been passed in the House of Commons giving Holyrood control over income tax powers worth £12bn. Control over income tax rates and thresholds is being devolved under measures agreed in the Scotland Act. Both the UK and Scottish governments welcomed the "landmark" powers, which take effect from 2017/18. Scottish Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will set out proposals on how to use the powers in his draft budget on 15 December. Mr Mackay said: "We welcome these legislative steps which will increase the Scottish Parliament's powers over income tax from next year. The new powers will allow us to design an approach to taxation which will suit Scotland's needs, balancing the need to invest with the recognition that many households are facing difficult economic challenges. "As we set out earlier this year, our income tax proposals for 2017/18 will aim to protect lower income taxpayers and generate extra revenue for us to invest in public services." First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already indicated that her government will not pass on tax cuts proposed at Westminster for the highest bands. The Scottish Conservatives oppose having higher taxes in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, while both Labour and the Lib Dems want to increase the standard rate by 1% to protect public spending. The Scottish Greens say there should be new rates and bands to give a tax cut to those on lower than average incomes and workers on higher wages should pay more tax. The devolution move, on St Andrew's Day, comes two years on from the publication of the Smith Commission on extra powers for Holyrood following the 2014 independence referendum. Scottish Secretary David Mundell said the "landmark" powers make Holyrood "one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world". He said: "The Scottish government will now have unprecedented power to shape the economy of Scotland. Crucially, for the first time, it will not only have to account to the people of Scotland for the money it spends, but also for the money it plans to raise. "Through the Scotland Act 2016 and, most recently, the Autumn Statement, the UK government has provided more powers and more funding for Scotland. It's now over to the Scottish government to set out how it plans to use these powers to drive jobs and growth in Scotland."

Police Scotland said it was consulting on a move there from the current base on Merchant Street. It said it was part of a wider review into the police estate, which was launched last year. A spokesperson confirmed: "Police Scotland is in discussion with various partner agencies in relation to the relocation of the police office." The statement added: "These discussions form part of a wider estates strategy and are in the early stages of consultation. "We continue to assess the best options for our accommodation needs within the Peterhead community, to meet the needs of the community. "It's important we capture the views of the local community and those affected by any potential relocation of the police office and when we reach the point of agreement this will be shared publicly."

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Head teachers representing some 3,000 schools in England have written to their local MPs and ministers calling for a rethink on school finance plans.

They say a new national funding formula, which should give underfunded schools more cash, ignores inflationary cost pressures faced by all schools. The heads come from 14 local council areas and represent 1.5 million pupils. The letter comes as the government's consultation period for the new school funding formula closes on Wednesday. The letter has been signed by primary, secondary and special school heads from a number of counties in England including West Sussex, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Devon and Cornwall. The letter says the new funding formula does not offer "meaningful solutions" to current and future school finances and "attempts to ignore inflationary cost pressures that all schools are enduring". "School leaders simply want a reasonable settlement that sees every child in every school adequately funded," it says. The Department for Education said school spending was at record levels, but that the system for distributing that money was "unfair, opaque and outdated". A DfE spokeswoman said: "We are going to end the historic postcode lottery in school funding and, under the proposed national schools funding formula, more than half of England's schools will receive a cash boost. "We are consulting schools, governors, local authorities and parents to make sure we get this formula right, so that every pound of the investment we make in education has the greatest impact. "We recognise that schools are facing cost pressures, which is why we will continue to provide support to help them use their funding in cost-effective ways, including improving the way they buy goods and services." Jules White, head teacher of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, West Sussex, has mobilised the campaign. He told the BBC he had expected to be better off under the new funding arrangements, but has had a nasty shock. "I was told I'd get £180,000 more with the new formula - which was very welcome. "But then when I saw what I have to pay out from September - National Insurance costs, teachers' pay and running costs of the school, I found I'd be spending £220,000. "So even with a new deal for the school - we'll be £40,000 worse off." Mr White said school leaders cared deeply about their students and their families and were reluctant to speak out, but the fact that they were doing so showed the gravity of the situation. "Why would we be doing this if it wasn't true? Why would I be telling you... that things are this bad unless I had to? And they are so bad, we're not sure we can cope going forward." The head teachers' letter is also critical of the government's push to open more grammar and free schools in England. It says: "To make matters worse - far worse - the Department for Education continues to divert significant monies to capital and revenue funding such as free school provision and grammar school expansion. "At the same time, our schools simply do not have adequate funds to provide the education that every child in our care needs and deserves. "To see such ill-judged spending being prioritised in a time of austerity is unacceptable. "The disconnect between a department making decisions that seem to entirely ignore the wishes and needs of dedicated and committed school leaders provides significant and tangible cause for concern." The consultation period on the funding formula ends on Wednesday, 22 March.

The decision was taken at a meeting on Wednesday after six independent councillors joined forces to force the issue back on to the agenda. They said the original decision taken last month was premature as tenants will soon be asked to vote on the future of the council's housing stock. A council report said such decisions can be "called in" and re-assessed. A minimum of four councillors have to make a formal approach to ask for a re-think and in this case six banded together. But, after looking again at the issue, Wednesday's housing overview and scrutiny committee decided they were happy with the original decision. Under the plans agreed last month, part of the council-owned land currently occupied by the maisonettes would be sold for development to finance other parts of the project which includes a mix of social housing and other community facilities. Meanwhile, Flintshire's 7,500 council tenants are also being consulted over the possible transfer of ownership of all council homes to a social landlord. Residents have been told previously that the intention is to flatten the maisonettes regardless of the outcome of the consultation. But the six councillors, who are members of the "new independent" group on the council, say the two issues should not be considered separately and some question whether money for housing should be used to help regenerate Flint. A report to the committee says decisions made by the council executive committee can be called in if requested by a committee chair or a minimum of four councillors within five days of that decision being taken. The committee was able to question council officials and councillors who made the initial decision before taking their own view. In a separate issue, the committee also agreed to support two schemes to help home buyers which includes setting aside £1m for a Local Authority Mortgage Scheme to provide an indemnity to a home buyer's lender if they are unable to raise a big enough deposit to obtain a mortgage. Conwy council approved a similar scheme last September.

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A woman was raped by a man who forced his way into a residential property, police said.

The attack happened at about 16:00 GMT on Thursday in Hutton Avenue, Oldbrook, in Milton Keynes. After the assault, the offender, who is described as black and wearing dark clothes including a dark puffa-style jacket, left the scene on foot. Thames Valley Police have asked for anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary to come forward. A spokeswoman said officers had been conducting enquiries in the area and neighbourhood patrols were ongoing. Supt Gill Wootton said: "Officers are working extremely hard to trace the offender and to protect the community following this incident." The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

Authorities say the move will kickstart hundreds of billions of dollars in stalled projects across the country. Critics say the new rules will be unfair to farmers and the rural poor. Industrialists had raised concerns over a law approved by the last Congress government in January which made it tough to acquire land from farmers. At present, the companies have to obtain the consent of 80% of people living on the land before acquiring it and landowners have to be paid up to four times the market value for land in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas. Several states had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to amend the law saying it was making projects unviable. In July last year, the world's largest steel company, ArcelorMittal, and South Korean firm Posco separately abandoned plans to build steel plants in India because of problems acquiring land. On Monday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said although the compensation package would remain as before, the "consent clause" would be waived in five categories, including for defence, national security, low-cost housing and rural infrastructure projects. "If land is needed for these five activities, rules will be relaxed while higher compensation to farmers whose land is acquired will continue to apply," Mr Jaitley said. The executive order, called ordinance, must now be approved by the parliament within six months. Prime Minister Modi has promised to step up the pace of reforms to revive India's slowing economy and in the last few days has used executive orders to pass reforms since it lacks a majority in the upper house of parliament. Last week, the cabinet passed two orders to raise foreign investment in the insurance sector and allow commercial mining of coal. Opposition parties have criticised the ordinances saying they undermine the parliamentary system in a democracy.

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Residents in Edinburgh are being asked to buy into a major community owned solar energy project.

People are being encouraged to buy shares in a solar co-operative to power public buildings. The minimum purchase is £250 per person. If the project raises enough money to install panels on all sites, it will be the UK's largest community-owned urban renewables scheme. It aims to save a thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year. Although the panels will be put on council buildings the scheme is being run by the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op. Once complete it should generate enough green energy to build a £1m community fund. It is hoped the scheme will see 25 of the city's schools, community and leisure centres become solar powered. Investors should receive a return on their money with any excess energy being sold to the national grid. Edinburgh council has a target of reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020. Dr Richard Dixon, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland and co-op chairman, said: "This share offer is a great way for residents of Edinburgh - and beyond - to become part owner of a renewable energy scheme. "Anyone in Scotland, in fact anyone in the UK, can apply to buy shares, but preference will be given to people living within the city of Edinburgh Council area. "In total we are looking to raise £1.4m, and if the offer is, as we hope, oversubscribed, Edinburgh folk will be first in line. "Every co-op member is projected to receive a return of five per cent on their shares, and any surplus the co-op generates will go towards a Community Benefit Fund which will support new sustainable energy projects across the city."

Councillors voted for the change on Tuesday claiming it will save nearly £1,000 a year per vehicle. They also said using an electric van will save three tonnes of CO2 a year. Roger Barrow, from Chichester District Council, said he was convinced it was the right decision. "We won't be able to replace all our fleet because there are restrictions in the mileage we can do, but we've identified on our fleet seven vehicles which we are convinced would be viable to change to electric vehicles," he said. "They are used by our contract services department going around where there's work to be done in the area. "And they are used by our parking services department to visit the various car parks."

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The entire board of Uruguay's Football Association has resigned amid a crisis over violence at matches.

The board said it had taken the decision to "allow other political views to govern our football". Last week, President Jose Mujica withdrew police protection from the home stadiums of Penarol and Nacional, Uruguay's most popular teams, following post-match violence. On Wednesday, Nacional fans fought with police after their team was beaten. Dozens of officers were injured in clashes with supporters in the capital, Montevideo. Despite the lack of security following the police withdrawal, the association ordered teams to play their matches as usual. However, the players' union refused. The association's board wrote in a letter: "The well-publicised acts that have occurred in recent times show the need for [the board to] step aside and allow other political views to govern our football. "The Executive Board has worked with the sole objective to benefit our football and, today, there is a clear perception that it's an obstacle to continue with this line of work." Analysts have suggested that Uruguay could be barred from this summer's World Cup in Brazil if world football governing body, Fifa, decides there has been political interference. But Eugenio Figueredo, the president of South American football's governing body Conmebol, said he did not believe Fifa would take this step. "I don't think Uruguay's place at the World Cup is at risk," he told Reuters news agency.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are campaigning against plans to cut about 180 firefighters and control room jobs in the county. The union said it would lead to a 20% reduction in full-time uniformed staff. The fire authority said "strong resilience arrangements" were in place to cover the strike period. FBU official Keith Handscomb said Essex Fire and Rescue Authority was "putting people's lives at risk" with the cuts. "They will trot out statistics, but the fact is more than three people are rescued from emergencies by Essex firefighters every day," Mr Handscomb said. "That is three people every day in Essex who cannot afford any cuts in frontline fire and rescue services." The union said it had planned to strike for short periods but had effectively been "locked" out until Friday evening. In a statement, the authority said: "In the interests of public safety, Essex Fire Authority has decided that on this occasion, it will not accept partial performance and therefore will put its well-rehearsed resilience arrangements in place to cover the entire strike period. "This means that firefighters withdrawing their labour for any part of a shift will not be required, or paid, for the whole shift. "The service will have greater availability with its resilience arrangements in place than it would under the complicated arrangements set out by the FBU for strike action among various work groups at different times over the three-day period." The union is involved in an ongoing dispute with the government over pensions.

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All UK letting agency fees should be paid by landlords who can shop around, rather than tenants - as is the case in Scotland, Citizens Advice has said.

The charity said that renters in much of the UK faced rising fees as they had no choice over the agent they dealt with after finding a house or flat. Landlords, on the other hand, were able to choose between agencies to act for them when renting out their property. A landlords' trade body said better regulation was a greater priority. Citizens Advice said the number of people contacting the charity with questions and complaints about lettings agents was on the rise. It received 6,500 calls about the sector in the year to the end of June, up from 6,200 the previous year, and 5,700 the year before that. Calls from 17 to 24-year-olds were increasing particularly fast, it said. Now, with university and college students starting in digs for the first time or returning to rented accommodation, the charity is braced for more calls. It said that previous research had highlighted problems such as delays in getting basic repairs completed or in fixing properties that were so damp or cold they could pose a health risk. In other cases, tenants sought help when they felt the fees they paid for administration were much more than the cost of renewing their tenancy agreement. It said agents' fees had risen in recent years, from a typical level of £125 in 2009-10 to £200 in 2014-15. In some cases, the charity said, fees were as high as £700. In Scotland, lettings agency fees to tenants are banned. Elsewhere in the UK, fees vary widely with costs in some big cities much higher. In England and Wales since last year, lettings and managing agents have been legally obliged to clearly publicise their fees. Yet, Citizens Advice said fees were charged for a range of services including preparing the tenancy agreement, checking references and credit checks, along with the possibility of a non-refundable holding deposit paid before signing a tenancy agreement. The charity said there should be a single charge set by the agency for all its services, but paid solely by landlords who were in a better position to shop around and pick the best agency. "Private renters shop around for properties, not for letting agents. Landlords are better able to choose agencies based on performance and cost and it should therefore be landlords paying letting agent fees, not tenants picking up these rising costs," said Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice. David Cox, managing director of Association of Residential Letting Agents, said: "Letting agent fees cover the cost of essential items during the lettings agreement process such as credit searches, right to rent checks, the drafting of the tenancy agreement, inventories and the management of tenancy extension or renewal. "All of these items cost letting agents money to carry out, and in fact, provided the agent has a fair pricing structure, the agent will not make a noticeable profit on charging for these items. Landlords too, incur their own costs to the agent, for services such as advertising the property and arranging viewings, amongst others. "Rather than simply transferring the total cost onto the side on the landlord, what is crucial is to provide consumer protection through better regulation of the private rented sector." Where can I afford to live?

Joe Anderson said he was "getting so angry" about dog mess and litter he needed the public's help to identify culprits in the act. He said the plans were about boosting "civil pride" in the community. The city's Liberal Democrats leader Richard Kemp said he was unconvinced by the proposals. Mr Anderson pledged to give those whose evidence leads to a prosecution free council tax for a year. He said: "I'm asking people [to] please help us [and] provide us with information on anybody you see allowing their dog to foul the streets... [and] provide us with an address where they live. "When they go out we'll have people covertly watching them and if it leads to prosecution, I will make sure you get your council tax for free, because we'll fine those people the maximum amount of money - £1,000." Mr Kemp said he did not think many fines would be gained under the plans. He said he was "glad it's being acknowledged but I don't think this is the right way." "I would employ more dog wardens. Responsible dog owners clean up after their dogs. It's the irresponsible ones who don't and they are more likely to be aggressive," he warned. Mr Anderson also said he was examining ways to make recycling compulsory in Liverpool and claimed "thousands don't bother or care". "It is about putting civil pride back into the community," he said. "I need people to tell me where they know people are throwing bags in an alleyway the day after bin collection. "I wouldn't call anyone who allows their dog to foul outside my house a neighbour. I class them as people that are totally irresponsible and don't care about their community."

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A coalition of charities has urged Northern Ireland's finance minister to reject a proposal that charity shops should begin paying rates.

Rates are the property taxes paid by households and businesses. Currently, charity shops are exempt but an official consultation has questioned whether that exemption should continue. Robin Osterley, chief executive of the Charity Retail Association, said the imposition of full rates would cost the charity sector up to £5.5m. He said this would mean that money "would no longer be available to charities to fund their vital life-saving and life-changing work". Elsewhere in the UK, charities have their rates reduced by 80% leading the consultation to ask if Northern Ireland charities should "pay some rates". The consultation has now closed and no decisions are expected until after the Northern Ireland Assembly election in May.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is one of the first councils in England to launch a PledgeBank. The pledges, from cleaning graffiti to organising a street party, can only be undertaken if other residents commit to the idea. The Conservative council said the scheme helps it save money but also "results in a better social outcome". Once a pledge is made, the council will check it fits the set criteria and then publish it online. It comes after a failed Big Society scheme to get residents to donate savings in their council tax, which the council has cut for the past four years. George Bathurst, cabinet member for policy and performance, said other schemes such as Green Redeem recycling rewards were a success. He said: "No one wants to just hand over a cheque but everybody would like to do something for their community." Mr Bathurst will make the first pledge to donate five Christmas food items to FoodBank if 10 other local people will do the same by 18 December. Fiona Dent, Windsor's Labour candidate, said: "Volunteering creates strong bonds between people, reinforces their ideals and can provide the help people need in difficult times. "However, we are living through difficult times now. Most people in the middle and lower incomes are a lot worse off than they were five years ago and they may well have more than one job to help pay the bills, leaving less time for volunteer activities."

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Same-sex marriage in England and Wales is a step closer to becoming law after the House of Lords approved the change.

Peers backed a government bill paving the way for gay couples to marry. It is set to become law by the end of the week, with the first weddings in 2014. Labour's Lord Alli said its passage meant "my life and many others will be better today than it was yesterday". But Tory peer Lord Framlingham said the "ill-thought through" change had been "bulldozed" through Parliament. Peers approved the principle of same-sex marriage last month, despite efforts by opponents to "wreck" the legislation. MPs had earlier done the same, in the face of opposition from many Conservatives, the Church of England and other faith groups. Supporters of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill wore pink carnations during Monday's proceedings in the Lords, during which a series of minor amendments - including one relating to pension benefits for same-sex couples - were proposed. Government minister Lady Stowell said the bill "puts right something which is wrong" and had been improved by detailed scrutiny in the Upper House. "I can't claim to be a gay rights campaigner, but I am a firm believer in justice and fairness," she said. But the Gay Marriage No Thanks group claimed it had been prevented from mounting an advertising campaign around Parliament after its truck was vandalised and its driver threatened. After clearing the Lords, the bill will return to the Commons for a short debate on government amendments before the Commons begins its summer recess on Thursday. The bill must then receive Royal Assent before it becomes law.

Councillors have granted outline planning permission for the proposed scheme, which includes up to 400 new homes. The development went before the council's planning committee in July. Outline planning permission has now been granted after a document was signed securing community benefits. They include the commitment to build affordable housing as part of the development. Work on the new homes is expected to start on site in 2019 after BBC Wales moves to its new building in the city centre. Gareth Hawke, land director for housebuilder Taylor Wimpey South Wales, said: "Our development will combine a mix of private and much-needed affordable homes, car parking and public open space, with the first properties expected to go on sale in early 2020, following the BBC's relocation and subject to the approval of 'reserved matters' planning applications dealing with detailed design."

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The Scottish Parliament has voted to support an outright ban on fracking after SNP MSPs abstained.

Labour tabled an amendment saying there "should" be a full ban as part of an environment debate headed by new cabinet secretary Roseanna Cunningham. After SNP members abstained, the motion was passed by 32 votes to 29. Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said there needed to be proper research and a public consultation before a decision was taken on fracking. Scottish Labour said it would be "outrageous" if the SNP "ignored" the result of the vote. The amendment is not a binding policy, but represents a defeat for the SNP, which supports a moratorium on fracking but stops short of backing a full ban. The SNP's manifesto for the Holyrood election committed to there being no fracking in Scotland "unless it can be proven beyond doubt that there is no risk to health, communities or the environment". Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens favour an immediate and outright ban, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she was "highly sceptical" about the technique. Ms Cunningham's motion for Wednesday's debate asked parliament to agree that "Scotland's stunning natural environment is one of its most precious assets", and says that "wise and productive use of the country's natural capital is at the heart of a strong, sustainable, low-carbon economy". She told MSPs that the SNP is "deeply sceptical" about fracking, but said there was "thorough" scientific research being undertaken on the issue. The environment secretary also pledged to "build resilience" against flooding, and to "work with nature" in habitat restoration and species protection. On land reform, Ms Cunningham called for greater transparency in land ownership and management, and said consultation over a mandatory public register of landowners would begin this summer. Labour MSP Claudia Beamish put forward an amendment asking parliament to "recognise that, to meet Scotland's climate change goals and protect the environment, there must be an outright ban on fracking in Scotland". She said parliament could "send out a very clear signal" by backing a ban, and warned that the SNP was faced with a choice "to side with centre left parties like Labour to stop fracking, or side with the Tories to go ahead with this dangerous plan". A number of other Labour MSPs also spoke out backing the motion, with several repeating the slogan "no ifs, no buts, no fracking". Green MSP Andy Wightman lodged another amendment which noted, among other things, that fracking is "incompatible with Scotland's low-carbon ambitions". Mr Wightman also addressed land reform, describing it as "a process of changing the legal, political, economic and fiscal relationship between society and land across urban, rural and marine Scotland" and calling for "radical and ongoing reform to democratise land". Calling for a new Land Reform Bill to be introduced in the new term of Holyrood, Mr Wightman called for measures to democratise land use with an emphasis on fairness. He also called for the council tax to be scrapped and said action should be taken to improve engagement with local democracy. However, several Scottish Conservatives, led by new MSP Maurice Golden, spoke out in favour of fracking. Mr Golden said the "left wing cabal" of Labour, the Greens and the Lib Dems was "out of step" with scientific evidence and what consumers want and need. He said fracking would boost jobs and the economy, and called on the SNP to "make up its mind" and stop blocking it. Mr Golden said there was a greater impact on the environment from shale gas being shipped to Scotland than there would be from extracting it locally. SNP energy minister Paul Wheelhouse said he was disappointed that Labour had tried to "sideline" the environment debate by putting fracking front and centre. He said the government was "deeply sceptical" about fracking, but said its position was "clear"; that there would be "no fracking in Scotland" unless there was clear evidence that it would cause no harm. He said scientific research and a full public consultation would be carried out. When members came to vote, SNP members abstained, meaning Labour's amendment passed by 32 votes to 29, with 62 members abstaining. Mr Wightman's amendment was also passed, before the motion itself was passed by 32 votes to 30, with 61 abstentions. Read Holyrood Live's coverage of the full debate here.

Third Energy wants to fracture underground rocks at a site near the village of Kirby Misperton in Ryedale. The Environment Agency said the event in Kirby Misperton related to Third Energy's application for the necessary environmental permits. An amended planning application is expected to be submitted to the county council by the end of June. Fracking is a technique for extracting gas or oil trapped between layers of rock by forcing the layers open using water, sand and chemicals under high pressure. Third Energy insists the procedure is safe and poses no danger to the community. Anti-fracking campaigners are concerned about the effects of the process and have held a number of demonstrations against the plans. A 1,000-signature petition calling on the county council to oppose fracking has also been submitted. The Environment Agency said it welcomed comments from the public about the application and on local environmental factors. Martin Christmas, environment manager at the agency, said: "Our regulatory controls for onshore oil and gas are in place to protect people and the environment. "We will assess the proposals to ensure they meet our strict requirements." The agency's drop-in session at Kirby Misperton village hall runs from 12:00 to 20:00 BST. The Environment Agency consultation lasts until 10 July.

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People with diabetes are to be given improved access to equipment after the Scottish government announced a £10m funding programme.

The spending is part of a new plan to improve the management of type 1 diabetes. The condition affects about 30,000 people in Scotland. The government has said a priority will be to increase the use of insulin pumps, which can replace the need to inject several times each day. There are 3,200 insulin pumps currently in use in Scotland. In addition to the pumps, additional continuous glucose monitoring equipment is to be made available. Karen Addington, the chief executive of the diabetes charity JDRF, said: "Evidence shows this type 1 diabetes technology, provided alongside support and training for its use, can improve lives. "We welcome the announcement of increased funding to improve access to it." Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "We know that insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring kits can make it much easier for some people to manage their type 1 diabetes. "Proper control is absolutely key to improving outcomes and preventing complications from developing. "This new investment will increase the provision of this equipment, meaning it's available to many more people, and making it easier for them to lead healthy lives."

First Minister Carwyn Jones had previously criticised plans to use the tax to pay for extra doctors. Finance Minister Jane Hutt told the Senedd a tax could "add to the armoury of initiatives" to tackle obesity but "there are practical difficulties" which need investigating. On Wednesday, AMs voted by 38 to 10 in favour of the motion. It proposed to bring forward plans to use new taxation powers under the Wales Act 2014 to allow the next Welsh government to introduce a levy on sugary drinks. Plaid research has suggested a 20% tax on sugary drinks could cut the number of obese people in Wales by 8,300 and those overweight by 13,300. Elin Jones, Plaid's shadow health minister, said: "Excess sugar consumption is one of the biggest risks to public health and unless we take action the threat will continue to grow. "I'm pleased that the Welsh government has today U-turned and supported our proposals." However, the Welsh government said the vote did not represent an about-face, because it had never opposed a sugary drink tax in principle - only Plaid's mooted earmarking of the proceeds. During a previous debate, the first minister said it was "not sensible" to pay for extra doctors "by ensuring people drink more pop".

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The government has confirmed a plan to ban extreme discounting of alcohol in England and Wales.

The Home Office said new rules setting minimum prices for different drinks would come into effect on 6 April. Ministers hope the plan will end the practice of supermarkets using drink as a loss-leader - selling drinks at below the cost they pay themselves. But critics have described the plan as "laughable" because it will affect only 1% of sales. Last year the Home Office dropped a proposal to follow Scotland's lead by setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol. Instead, it said it would use existing licensing laws to prevent supermarkets offering deep discounts. The new scheme, which will be in force before the World Cup, requires retailers to use a complicated formula based on alcohol duty and VAT to calculate a floor price. A 440ml can of 5% beer will have a minimum price of 50p. A standard bottle of 40% vodka could not be sold for less than £10.16 and a bottle of wine would retail for at least £2.24. These prices are higher than the lowest-discounted alcohol currently available in England and Wales - but below Scotland's tougher minimum pricing scheme. Officials estimate that 1.3% of sales - 200m litres - will become more expensive and this will lead to an overall drop in consumption of 0.04%. Official figures suggest the scheme will cost business £4m to implement and the Treasury will lose £5m. But they also project savings of £5m for the NHS and almost £4m because of fewer crimes. Ministers say that setting a pricing floor will target "pre-loading" in which people consume heavily discounted supermarket drink before going out to pubs and clubs. One small research project found that two-thirds of young people arrested for alcohol-related disorder in one city had pre-loaded with cheap alcohol. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said: "The coalition government is determined to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime, which costs England and Wales around £11bn a year. "Banning the sale of alcohol below duty plus VAT will stop the worst examples of very cheap and harmful drink." But Eric Appleby of Alcohol Concern said: "The idea that banning below cost sales will help tackle our problem with alcohol is laughable. It's confusing and close to impossible to implement. "The government is wasting time when international evidence shows that minimum unit pricing is what we need to save lives and cut crime." The Scottish Government's plan to introduce a scheme to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol is currently on hold because of legal challenges from the drinks industry.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee found there was little evidence that lower payments would motivate disabled people to find work. The allowance is set to be reduced from £102 to £73 per week from April. Ministers have argued that savings would be invested in a new support package for the most vulnerable. The committee said evidence supporting the idea that introducing a lower rate of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) would enhance incentives to work was "ambiguous at best". It welcomed a decision to make some severely disabled claimants exempt from repeated reassessment for ESA but said it had deep concerns about assessments proposed in the recent work and health green paper. The committee said ministers should consider using incentives such as reductions in National Insurance contributions to encourage employers to employ people with disabilities. Committee chairman Frank Field said: "We expect the government to respond to this report before the proposed new lower rate of ESA is due in April. "If they intend to proceed with these cuts, we expect an explanation of how this will not be detrimental to its target of halving the disability employment gap, by making finding and keeping a job even more difficult for disabled people than it already is." A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "The number of disabled people in work has increased by almost 600,000 in the last three years, but we're determined to go even further. "Our Work and Health Green Paper marks the next stage of our action to confront the attitudes, prejudices and misunderstandings that have become ingrained within the minds of employers and across wider society. "Our welfare reforms are increasing the support and incentives for people to move into work, while keeping an important safety net in place for those who need it. "In addition to ESA, we also offer support through Personal Independence Payments, to help with the extra costs associated with being disabled."

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The political crisis means that Stormont's finances have been under the control of a senior civil servant since the start of the financial year.

David Sterling had to step in because the executive failed to agree a budget. Like his fellow officials he was hoping for a quick resolution to the crisis. When he took charge he wrote to all Stormont departments stating that while he can keep cash flowing to public services that is "not a substitute for a budget agreed by an Executive". What that means is that he is not going to make policy decisions, so instead of political direction there is drift. That is a particular issue for the health service, where some major policy decisions on acute hospitals, elective surgery and GP services need to be made. With the talks deadline now pushed out until the end of June, Mr Sterling will be operating these emergency procedures for at least another two months. While it means policy drift, it should not cause any immediate administrative problems. On the day he took charge Mr Sterling also told all Stormont departments what their spending limits would be for the next four months. That takes us until the end of July, well beyond the talks deadline. The legislation says that if no budget is in place by the end of July, Mr Sterling will only have the right to spend an amount equivalent to 95% of the 2016 budget across the whole of the 2017 financial year. So, at that point, he would have to tell departments to plan for in-year cuts of at least 5%. However, officials think it is improbable that the emergency situation will continue for that length of time. If there is no deal among the Stormont parties in June the expectation is that the Secretary of State will move to impose a budget. Mr Brokenshire has already taken a small degree of financial control when it comes to rates, the property tax paid by households and businesses. Rates bills are made up of two elements, one set by councils (the district rate) and one set by Stormont (the regional rate). The councils have set their part, but the executive has not set the regional rate meaning that bills could not calculated. The secretary of state has now decided that the regional rate will increase in line with inflation and will bring legislation to Westminster on Monday to allow that to happen.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is one of the first councils in England to launch a PledgeBank. The pledges, from cleaning graffiti to organising a street party, can only be undertaken if other residents commit to the idea. The Conservative council said the scheme helps it save money but also "results in a better social outcome". Once a pledge is made, the council will check it fits the set criteria and then publish it online. It comes after a failed Big Society scheme to get residents to donate savings in their council tax, which the council has cut for the past four years. George Bathurst, cabinet member for policy and performance, said other schemes such as Green Redeem recycling rewards were a success. He said: "No one wants to just hand over a cheque but everybody would like to do something for their community." Mr Bathurst will make the first pledge to donate five Christmas food items to FoodBank if 10 other local people will do the same by 18 December. Fiona Dent, Windsor's Labour candidate, said: "Volunteering creates strong bonds between people, reinforces their ideals and can provide the help people need in difficult times. "However, we are living through difficult times now. Most people in the middle and lower incomes are a lot worse off than they were five years ago and they may well have more than one job to help pay the bills, leaving less time for volunteer activities."

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The Australian government has outlined plans to drugs test some benefit claimants as part of a two-year trial.

Under the proposals, those who test positive will have their welfare payments transferred to a card that can only be used to pay for basic items. The plans will need to be approved in parliament. PM Malcolm Turnbull says the proposal is about looking after "fellow Australians". The government would like to trial it in an area of south-west Sydney. If approved, 15% of new jobseekers and youth allowance claimants will be forced to take a random drugs test. If the claimant fails the test, most of their payments will be loaded onto an electronic "basics card" which can only be used to buy items such as food, rent and childcare. These cards are already in use by some welfare recipients, with the same restrictions on non-essential items, but the drugs tests are a new proposal. Money is electronically placed on the cards once a fortnight, when people receive their benefit payments. A second failed test means they would be referred for treatment. A similar system of drug testing is already being used in New Zealand, where welfare recipients are tested as a precondition for getting certain jobs. The plans have been criticised by academics, anti-poverty campaigners and charities. The social welfare charity Anglicare Australia said: "There is no evidence that this measure will change behaviour, and we believe it will only serve to further marginalise, vilify and drive those battling with addiction further into poverty." The government says the trial is aimed at helping jobseekers overcome their drug problems.

The new buzzwords are to be "outcomes" and "indicators". They are words most people living in Scotland or Finland will be very familiar with. Because Stormont's administrators have been studying what happens in those countries and they like what they see. Scotland has a series of sixteen National Outcomes which describe what the Government there wants to do over the next ten years. This so-called outcomes based approach to government focuses on actual results achieved. The theory is it allows the government and wider public sector to focus on making sustainable improvements to public services and the quality of life for people in Scotland. A series of indicators allow them to track progress towards the achievements of these outcomes. Sources close to the negotiations for a programme for government at Stormont say this is the model they intend to follow. One source said it is about "doing things differently" and denied the change was merely cosmetic. As a first step a "framework" programme for government will be produced in just over a fortnight. It will then go out to consultation. At the end of this year it will be replaced with a detailed programme for government. There will also be a budget, not for one year but for the next three to four years. And there will be documents setting out strategies on the economy, capital investment and social policy strategy. Sources say this is not a programme for one Assembly mandate but for a 10 - 15 year period. They say it will also require the civil service to be "more outward facing." Politically, this seems the model Sinn Féin and the DUP intend to move forward with - with or without the other parties. Can the SDLP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance agree to go into the next Executive on the basis of a "framework" programme knowing they won't get the real detail for another seven months?

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For example: the ETF I am looking at holds Time Warner, eBay, Costco, Sysco. Would I get the dividends that these stocks offer?

Yes. But read the prospectus, since it may have a provision whereby the administrator automatically reinvests the dividends rather than paying them out.

There is a group here in NH trying to get Souter to change his mind. They are trying to get the town of Weare, NH to take Souter's home in town by eminent domain to build the 'Lost Liberty Inn'. They lost in the March 2006 election but the fight is not over yet.\n\nAs far as who is responsible:\nJustice John Paul Stevens wrote the majority opinion; he was joined by Justices Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. \n\nJustice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote the principal dissent, saying "Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random. The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms." She called it a "reverse Robin Hood", steal from the poor to give to the rich.\n\nEminent domain is a violation of the 5th Amendment to the Constitution; "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." That means that, if justly compensated, private property can be taken for "public use". The case that set this all off was Kelo v. City of New London (125 S. Ct. 2655), where the city of New London, CT condemmed a group of homes and took them by eminent domain so they could sell the property to developers. The plan was to build a conference center, small state park, a resort hotel, 80–100 new residences, and various research, office, and retail space. While the conference center and state park fall under the "public use" clause, the rest does not.\n\nThe issue is coming up for a vote again in Weare, NH in November. I hope to stay at the "Lost Liberty Inn" shortly thereafter, even though it's only abot 30 miles from where I live.

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i need to create a dataGrid that alow Grouping , as i want to hava a title and a data under the title in eash row in the DataGrid by using ASP.Net 2 (VS.Net 2005) /using VB.Net code behind,

You can use the GridView control, implement a templatefield column and inside of that have a new SqlDataSource and GridView control. Note, that SqlDataSource aren't data binding friendly hense the ugly binding w/ old school DataBinder calls. Psuedo code below. (Yahoo answers hates my code blocks, but you should be able to gather a solution from it).\n\n<asp:GridView id="SomeGridView" runat="server" DataSourceId="CustomersDataSource">\n<Columns><asp:TemplateField><ItemTemplate>\n\nCurrent Customer : <%# Eval("CustomerName") %><br>\n\n<asp:GridView id="CustomerProductsGridView" runat="server" DataSourceId="CustomerProductsDataSource"><Columns>(omitted for example)</Columns></asp:GridView">\n\n<asp:SqlDataSource id="CustomerProductsDataSource" SelectCommand='<%# "select * from Products where CustomerId= " + DataBinder.Eval(Container.DataItem, "CustomerId") %>'></asp:SqlDataSource>\n\n</ItemTemplate></asp:TemplateField></Columns>\n</asp:GridView>\n\n<asp:SqlDataSource id="CustomerDataSource" SelectCommand="select * from Customers"></asp:SqlDataSource>

The Disability Rights Commission\nThe Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body, established in April 2000 by Act of Parliament to eliminate the discrimination faced by disabled people and promote equality of opportunity. We have set ourselves the goal of 'a society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens'.\n\nIts statutory duties are to:\n\nwork to eliminate discrimination against disabled people\n\npromote equal opportunities for disabled people\n\nencourage good practice in the treatment of disabled people\n\nadvise the Government on the working of disability legislation (the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 and the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999\n\nOur work covers a wide range of activities, including:\n\nadvice and information to disabled people, employers and service providers - our DRC Helpline has taken more than half a million calls\nsupporting disabled people in getting their rights under the DDA\nhelping solve problems - often without going to a court or employment tribunal\nsupporting legal cases to test the limits of the law\nproviding an independent Disability Conciliation Service for disabled people and service providers through Mediation UK\ncampaigning to strengthen the law\norganising campaigns - such as our Open 4 All campaign - to change policy, practice and awareness\nproducing policy statements and research on disability issues; and publications on rights and good practice for disabled people, employers and service providers.\nThe Disability Rights Commission (DRC) consists at present of 14 Commissioners, including the Chairman, appointed by the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions through a process involving independent assessment under guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The DRC is led by Chairman, Bert Massie C.B.E. and Bob Niven, Chief Executive. \n\nThe DRC employs 208 staff and has offices in Manchester, London, Bangor, Cardiff and Edinburgh. In addition the DRC Helpline based in Stratford-upon-Avon.

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Do you think it would be better for the uk to abolish NHS? Maybe we should take a leaf out of the united states of America's book and have a health insurance instead of paying extra taxes? would love to hear some views. thanks xxx

The definition of economics is the allocation of scarce resources. Either way you go, private or nationalized, someone goes "without". The difference is that in the USA, most people get to choose that which they go without. In Great Britain, you're taxed and then told what services you'll be provided. However, either way, nobody gets everything right away and some people never see the care they want or need.

Ok. Got a car? Insurance, tax, petrol. No car. Ok Bus? bus fare. How about the odd taxi ride. How about things you might need for work? tools, paper, pens.\nIf you were a business of course you would need to think about business rates, buying stock and selling stock etc as well. Try looking on the Inland Revenue site. There might be some advice or lists on there somewhere.\nC ;)

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mayday trigger situations

The moment we decide to make a mayday call, we trigger a transformative energy that shifts us from the status quo into the realm of possibilities. We start on a journey toward a better future. When we ask for help, there is a greater chance that we will not be alone on that journey.

As a basic guide though, the main situations when you’ll trigger the MPAA are: 1 If you take your entire pension pot as a lump sum or start to take ad-hoc lump sums from your pension pot. 2 If you put your pension pot money into a flexi-access drawdown scheme and start to take income.

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when did prescription charges stop in scotland

In the English NHS charges are made for prescription drugs, and the majority of adults are required to pay them. Charges were abolished in NHS Wales in 2007, Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland in 2010 and by NHS Scotland in 2011.hen the National Health Service was established in 1948 all prescriptions were free. The power to make a charge was introduced in the NHS Amendment Act 1949, and proposals for charges were a factor in the resignation of Aneurin Bevan from the Labour Government in 1951.

Distillation was brought to Scotland from Ireland by missionary monks in the 6th century. In 1644, the first taxes were imposed on Scottish distillers by England, with the result that most of the nation’s whisky was soon distilled illicitly. With the Parliament’s passing of the “Excise Act” in 1824, licensing fees for distilleries were much cheaper.

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For what reason are hydraulic elevators not powered by the standard emergency system?

In hydraulic elevator systems, emergency power will lower the elevators to the lowest landing and open the doors to allow passengers to exit. The doors then close after an adjustable time period and the car remains unusable until reset, usually by cycling the elevator main power switch. Typically, due to the high current draw when starting the pump motor, hydraulic elevators are not run using standard emergency power systems. Buildings like hospitals and nursing homes usually size their emergency generators to accommodate this draw. However, the increasing use of current-limiting motor starters, commonly known as "soft-start" contactors, avoid much of this problem, and the current draw of the pump motor is less of a limiting concern.

In parliamentary systems, governments are generally required to have the confidence of the lower house of parliament (though a small minority of parliaments, by giving a right to block supply to upper houses, in effect make the cabinet responsible to both houses, though in reality upper houses, even when they have the power, rarely exercise it). Where they lose a vote of confidence, have a motion of no confidence passed against them, or where they lose supply, most constitutional systems require either:

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I have worked for a company for a few months now and recently was let go because of the following reasons;\n\n When asked to perform a task i never complete it correctly and the manager always has to redo it, I make too many mistakes, I failed to tidy up after myself and the Manager had asked other staff and they thought i wouldnt be able to cope over the christmas period.\n\nWhen i first started the job i was given no training, sent into the stock room and told on this side is one thing and on this side is the other, you'll soon pick it up.\nI was not informed of any safety procedures or the fire protacols.\nI didnt know if there was a staff room until the second week.\nThe manager and other staff members left me to myself and spent most of the day talking.\nwhen the manager had a day off i was not left any instructions so i had no idea what i was supposed to be doing.\nI was never told that i was doing things wrong and not shown how to do them correctly.\nI always cleared up

It's a bit crappy but you wouldn't have a leg to stand on I'm afraid. You need to have been in employment for 12 months minimum to claim, unless you meet certain criteria.\nDid you ask for training and support?...that's another issue.\nHope you get something else but remember, ASK for help next time.

My husband is a Health and Safety guy, he is away right now but will be back later today...I will ask him to give you an answer...though it won't be specific to a stud farm...\n\nEdit:\n\nIf you know how to DO a Risk Assessment then you know what to write in such an assessment. Insofar as, you simply write down what you did and record the results.\n\nThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has some good advice on how to undertake and record a risk assessment on their website (www.hse/gov.uk). Another useful document is 5 Steps to Risk Assessment and its supporting document 5 Steps to Risk Assessment Case Studies, both available from HSE Books.\n\nOne other thing; to assess the risks associated with a Stud Farm, you would need to go much further than just looking at COSHH. \n\nYou would need to consider such other things as unpredictable animal behavior, manual handling, noise, zoonotic infections, transport safety, work equipment, the working environment, climatic conditions, possibly Asbestos in old buildings, fire (what you need to do to prevent one and what to do if one occurs) etc,etc, etc. Theres a lot to consider.\n\nRemember you are seeking to identify and control all the risks to anyone who could be affected by the operation of the farm, so think in the widest possible terms. Don't forget the risks to visitors, contractors (vets, delivery drivers, trespasssers, particlarly children) etc.\n\nDon't forget to assess storerooms, offices, anywhere where people eat etc\n\nConsider what you need to do if an accident does occur: first aid provision, emergeny services, accident reporting and investigation, dealing with the enforcing authorities etc.\n\nDon't forget to consider both public and employee liability insurance, both are legal requirments,\n\nAgain, there is some good advice on most, if not all, of the above on the HSE website.\n\nHope the above helps and good luck.

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what does rpu stand for

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is a municipally-owned electric and water utility located in Rochester, MN. RPU serves more than 50,000 electric customers and 39,000 water customers. RPU operates under the direction of a five member, mayor-appointed Utility Board and under the Rochester City Council.

insurance, IRDA, life, life insurers, Reduced, RPU. car253 - June 26th, 2011 at 8:57 am. It is a difficult calcuation. The computer really computes this stuff. What happens if if there is any cash value and divdends in the policy, the money is used to buy a paid up policy with a reduced death benefit and no further premiums need to be paid.

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what is community reinvestment

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is a law intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking operations. (CRA does not encourage the extension of unsafe or unsound credit.)

Testimony began with Judith Greene addressing the joint committee on Justice Reinvestment, an innovative strategy for reducing spending on corrections, increasing public safety, and improving conditions in those neighborhoods from which large numbers of people are sent to, and return from, prison.

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limitation of liability sample services agreement

42 Limitation of Liability z Contains four elements – The party who is benefiting from the limitation of its liability; – The party agreeing to limit its own recovery for someone else’s negligence; – The type of claims to which the limitations apply; and, – The amount of the limitation.

Page 38 of 45. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A SERVICE PROVIDER TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM BY OFFERING SUSTAINABLE LAND UTILIZATION TRAINING COURSE THE IDENTIFIED RURAL TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN MPUMALANGA AND GAUTENG PROVINCES FOR THE PERIOD OF 3 DAYS.isputes 27.3 Should. herein, 28. Limitation of liability 27.1 If any dispute or difference of any kind whatsoever arises between the purchaser and the supplier in connection with or arising out of the contract, the parties shall make every effort to resolve amicably such dispute or difference by mutual consultation.

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what is considered a utility bill

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Public utilities. Companies portal. Public utilities (just utilities in British English) are typically defined as companies that supply what are considered basic (essential) services to homes and businesses, such as electricity, gas, telephone, water and sewer connections.ikimedia Commons has media related to Public utilities. Companies portal. Public utilities (just utilities in British English) are typically defined as companies that supply what are considered basic (essential) services to homes and businesses, such as electricity, gas, telephone, water and sewer connections.

Land telephone services are also considered to be public utilities. The invoices these telephone companies send out are utility bills. Like electric and water companies, local telephone companies provide a service to the public at large.as and electricity bills are considered to be utility bills under the legal definition of the term. These services are often provided by the same local utility, though some property owners may only use one or the other to power their systems.

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Outbreak of legionellosis in Stavanger, Norway – final report

Evaluation of the national surveillance of Legionnaires' disease in Norway, 2008-2017

Evaluation of the national surveillance of Legionnaires' disease in Norway, 2008-2017

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Comparative performance of the probable case definitions of dengue by WHO (2009) and the WHO-SEAR expert group (2011).

Accuracy of clinical criteria and an immunochromatographic strip test for dengue diagnosis in a DENV-4 epidemic

Video Games Have Always Been Queer

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Limitations to the Universal use of Capture-Recapture Methods

Incidence and completeness of notification of Legionnaires' disease in The Netherlands: covariate capture–recapture analysis acknowledging regional differences

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Capture-Recapture Models for Estimating Software Defect Content

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Kairotropy: Discovering Critical Illness Trajectories Using Clinical Phenotypes with Big Data

Understanding and Improving Critical Care Survivorship

Artificial incubation does not affect the post-hatch development, health, or survival of the Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), a tropical passerine

kor_Hang

Chikungunya outbreak in Montpellier, France, September to October 2014

Large number of imported chikungunya cases in mainland France, 2014: a challenge for surveillance and response

Artificial incubation does not affect the post-hatch development, health, or survival of the Lance-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia lanceolata), a tropical passerine

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The impact of migrant workers on the tuberculosis transmission: General models and a case study for China

A tuberculosis (TB) transmission model involving migrant workers is ::: proposed and investigated. The basic reproduction number ::: $\mathcal{R}_{0}$ is calculated, and is shown to be a threshold ::: parameter for the disease to persist or become extinct in the ::: population. The existence and global attractivity of an endemic ::: equilibrium, if $\mathcal{R}_{0}>1$, is also established under some ::: technical conditions. A case study, based on the TB epidemiological ::: and other statistical data in China, indicates that the disease ::: spread can be controlled if effective measures are taken to reduce ::: the reactivation rate of exposed/latent migrant workers. Impact of ::: the migration rate and direction, as well as the duration of home ::: visit stay, on the control of disease spread is also examined ::: numerically.

Aiming at Shenyang Metro in construction,analysis of influence of advance small duct grouting on metro tunnel excavation is conducted.By different layout in ring of small duct,based on surrounding rock stress and displacement of each monitored point of tunnel,the rational layout is given.which has important reference meaning to similar tunnel engineering.

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Yeah, but it killed dozens of people in the Midwest.

It was the cause of people dying in the Midwest.

It killed thousands of people in the Midwest.

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Initially weakened by an outbreak of plague, the 12,000 strong population rallied to the cause.

The many people who lived there suffered through the plague.

Diseases wiped out the entire population.

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i mean i think it's probably still very dangerous over there

I think it's incredibly dangerous over there.

I think it's not dangerous over there at all.

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It happened here about 2.1 billion years ago.

It occurred many eons ago.

The event was last week.

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Threatening lives: Controlling avian flu in Vietnam's poultry economy

Competing biosecurity and risk rationalities in the Chittagong poultry commodity chain, Bangladesh

China's grain relies on foreign fertilizer

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On April 5th 2006, the discovery of which type of bird in Scotland having Avian Influenza sparked a major UK Bird Flu alert?

Avian Flu Watch: July 2006 Avian Flu Watch A pandemic, or worldwide outbreak of a new influenza virus, could overwhelm our health and medical capabilities, potentially resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of hospitalizations, and hundreds of billions of dollars in direct and indirect costs. This blog is intended to report on current worldwide preparedness and response activities to mitigate the impact of this pending pandemic. Monday, July 31, 2006 In Vietnam, a Gateway for Bird Flu Ignoring Chicken Import Ban, Smugglers Bring Virus Over Border From China By Alan Sipress Washington Post Foreign Service Sunday, July 30, 2006; A23 DONG DANG, Vietnam -- The smugglers first appeared on the distant ridgeline and then, like ants, streamed down a dirt track carved from the lush, sculpted mountains that separate Vietnam from China. As the figures grew closer, their stooped posture became visible, backs heaving under bamboo cages crammed with live chickens. On the road below, two young men identified by local officials as lookouts buzzed past on red dirt bikes, slowing down to check out a reporter and his government escorts who had stopped to watch. One man produced a two-way radio and started speaking urgently. Though his words were inaudible to the visitors, within moments the figures on the hillside melted into the brush. These traffickers haul more than 1,000 contraband chickens a day into Lang Son, one of six Vietnamese provinces along the Chinese border, flouting a chicken import ban. In doing so, heath experts say, they have also repeatedly smuggled the highly lethal bird flu virus from its source in southern China into Vietnam, where the disease has taken a devastating toll on farm birds and killed at least 42 people since 2003. As bird flu continues to spread across the Eastern Hemisphere, international health experts warn that illegal trade in poultry, poultry products and other birds is often the primary cause. "Both between and within countries, commerce is an incredibly important factor," said Juan Lubroth, chief of infectious animal disease for the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. "We try to press with governments that it has to be controlled or managed better. But like trafficking in humans, weapons and drugs, with poultry it's not any easier." The virus has already ravaged farm birds and wildfowl in more than 50 countries. At least 230 human cases have been recorded, and more than half have been fatal. Health officials fear that a new form of the virus that can jump easily from person to person will develop, bringing on a global epidemic among humans. Vietnamese veterinary officials disclosed in April that they had found bird flu in a sample taken from smuggled chickens confiscated in Lang Son during a bust on the border. Days later, officials in the remote, neighboring province of Cao Bang reported the virus in poultry samples taken from three farms on the Chinese border after dozens of chickens had started dying and smuggling was suspected. These two episodes were the first official cases of bird flu in Vietnam since December. In May 2005, researchers had already found evidence that smuggling was bringing in the bug: They isolated a strain of the H5N1 virus that was new to Vietnam but similar to one common in Guangxi, just over the mountains from Lang Son. Lang Son's jagged border with China runs for about 150 miles through angular, misty mountains with craggy cliffs that seem drawn from a stylized painting. The highest peak, which lends its name, Mau Son, to the local rice wine, rises nearly 4,500 feet. For centuries, the extended families straddling this border have navigated treacherous footpaths to run goods from one side to the other, in recent years including electronics, DVDs, exotic wildlife and all nature of clothes and shoes. The bootleg poultry business turned lucrative two years ago after Vietnam started slaughtering about 50 million chickens to contain its bird flu epidemic. The resulting shortage of chicken meat, a prime source of protein for the Vietnamese, sent prices soa

Who played the part of Piers Fletcher Dervish, personal assistant to MP Alan B'stard, in the television comedy series The New Statesman? Sign up View the step-by-step solution to: Who played the part of Piers Fletcher Dervish, personal assistant to MP Alan B'stard, in the television comedy series The New Statesman? This question was answered on May 22, 2016. View the Answer Who played the part of Piers Fletcher Dervish, personal assistant to MP Alan B'stard, in the television comedy series The New Statesman? veterantutor62 posted a question · May 22, 2016 at 10:19am Top Answer josewriter23 answered the question · May 22, 2016 at 10:20am Other Answers Michael Troughton (born 2 March 1955) is an English actor, writer, and teacher. He is the son of actor Patrick Troughton (known as the Second Doctor in Doctor Who in the 1960s) and the younger brother of David Troughton. Yati1987 May 22, 2016 at 10:21am {[ getNetScore(29666349) ]} View Full Answer or ask a new question Related Questions Go back a bit and explore part of the 1890s. What was the significance of the Spanish-American War in the debate over imperialism? What impression did you get Recently Asked Questions Need an US History tutor? mathtutor1983 2 US History experts found online! Average reply time is less than an hour Get Homework Help Why Join Course Hero? Course Hero has all the homework and study help you need to succeed! We’ve got course-specific notes, study guides, and practice tests along with expert tutors and customizable flashcards—available anywhere, anytime. - - Study Documents Find the best study resources around, tagged to your specific courses. Share your own to gain free Course Hero access or to earn money with our Marketplace. - Question & Answers Get one-on-one homework help from our expert tutors—available online 24/7. Ask your own questions or browse existing Q&A threads. Satisfaction guaranteed! - Flashcards Browse existing sets or create your own using our digital flashcard system. A simple yet effective studying tool to help you earn the grade that you want!

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Oslo University claimed in 2015 that the Bubonic plague outbreaks of the middle ages were caused by flea-carrying?

Black Death | Open Access articles | Open Access journals | Conference Proceedings | Editors | Authors | Reviewers | scientific events File:Blackdeath2.gif Spread of the Black Death in Europe (1346–53) The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history , resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people and peaking in Europe in the years 1346–53. [1] [2] [3] Although there were several competing theories as to the etiology of the Black Death, analysis of DNA from victims in northern and southern Europe published in 2010 and 2011 indicates that the pathogen responsible was the Yersinia pestis bacterium, probably causing several forms of plague . [4] [5] The Black Death is thought to have originated in the arid plains of Central Asia , where it then travelled along the Silk Road , reaching the Crimea by 1343. [6] From there, it was most likely carried by Oriental rat fleas living on the black rats that were regular passengers on merchant ships . Spreading throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, the Black Death is estimated to have killed 30–60% of Europe's total population. [7] In total, the plague reduced the world population from an estimated 450 million down to 350–375 million in the 14th century. The aftermath of the plague created a series of religious, social, and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the course of European history . It took 7009473364000000000♠150Lua error: Unmatched close-bracket at pattern character 67. for Europe's population to recover.[ citation needed ] The plague recurred occasionally in Europe until the 19th century. Contents Main article: Black Death migration The plague disease, caused by Yersinia pestis , is enzootic (commonly present) in populations of fleas carried by ground rodents , including marmots , in various areas including Central Asia, Kurdistan, Western Asia, Northern India and Uganda. [8] Nestorian graves dating to 1338–9 near Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan have inscriptions referring to plague and are thought by many epidemiologists to mark the outbreak of the epidemic, from which it could easily have spread to China and India. [9] In October 2010, medical geneticists suggested that all three of the great waves of the plague originated in China. [10] In China, the 13th century Mongol conquest caused a decline in farming and trading. However, economic recovery had been observed at the beginning of the 14th century. In the 1330s a large number of natural disasters and plagues led to widespread famine, starting in 1331, with a deadly plague arriving soon after. [11] Epidemics which may have included plague killed an estimated 25 million Chinese and other Asians during the 15 years before it reached Constantinople in 1347. [12] [13] The disease may have travelled along the Silk Road with Mongol armies and traders or it could have come via ship. [14] By the end of 1346, reports of plague had reached the seaports of Europe: "India was depopulated, Tartary, Mesopotamia, Syria, Armenia were covered with dead bodies". [15] Plague was reportedly first introduced to Europe at the trading city of Caffa in the Crimea in 1347. After a protracted siege, during which the Mongol army under Jani Beg was suffering from the disease, the army catapulted the infected corpses over the city walls to infect the inhabitants. The Genoese traders fled, taking the plague by ship into Sicily and the south of Europe, whence it spread north. [16] Whether or not this hypothesis is accurate, it is clear that several existing conditions such as war, famine, and weather contributed to the severity of the Black Death. European outbreak The seventh year after it began, it came to England and first began in the towns and ports joining on the seacoasts, in Dorsetshire, where, as in other counties, it made the country quite void of inhabitants so that there were almost none left alive. ... But at length it came to Gloucester, yea even to Oxford and to London, and finally it spread over all England and so wasted the people that scarce the tenth person of any sort was

Richard Brunel on BÉATRICE ET BÉNÉDICT - YouTube Richard Brunel on BÉATRICE ET BÉNÉDICT Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Mar 18, 2016 An opera by Hector Berlioz - based on Shakespeares "Much Ado About Nothing". Stage-director Richard Brunel explains the story. Category

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Minority Groups in the Republic of Vietnam

Competing for Coffee Space: Development-Induced Displacement in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Complete Genome Sequences of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus Isolates from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

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Little MyDooms May Mean Big One Coming

A series of minor MyDoom worms released in the last 24 hours may be a harbinger of a bigger threat surfacing soon, a security analyst said Friday.

A large cloud appeared over North Korea in satellite images several days ago, but a US official told CNN it is &quot;no big deal&quot; and not the result of a nuclear explosion.

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Diabetes: a growing problem in newly-rich Asia

A cheese burger one day, lasagna the next and chicken nuggets instead of a bowl of noodles.

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters Life!) - Dengue fever -- a tropical infection that usually causes flu-like illness -- may be poised to spread across the United States and urgent study is needed, health officials said on Tuesday.

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Take Care of Dengue Patients

Dengue is caused by the dengue virus and is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue is common in regions in Southeast Asia, the western Pacific, Central and South America, and Africa.

Trying to dress as the Medic for Halloween? Don't know where to start? Then this is the article for you.

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On the risk of severe dengue during secondary infection: a systematic review coupled with mathematical modeling.

dengue and the risk of urban yellow fever reintroduction in sao paulo state , brazil .

The Expected Performance Curve: a New Assessment Measure for Person Authentication

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On the risk of severe dengue during secondary infection: a systematic review coupled with mathematical modeling.

dengue and the risk of urban yellow fever reintroduction in sao paulo state , brazil .

Assessment of methodological quality of primary studies by systematic reviews: results of the metaquality cross sectional study

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On the risk of severe dengue during secondary infection: a systematic review coupled with mathematical modeling.

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement

Survey of Approaches for Handling Static Analysis Alarms

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avian influenza symptoms in chickens

However, the most common symptoms are sudden death without any symptoms, because it is acute. There is a chronic form, which consists of the symptoms described above. The chances of a chicken surviving Avian Influenza are low. First, immunity to Avian Influenza is rare.

Some forms of avian influenza have only mild symptoms in birds; some are more serious; and a few cause devastating illness resulting in death for most birds in a flock. An avian influenza epidemic infecting many poultry flocks in Asia several years ago also infected some people, resulting in 330 human deaths worldwide.

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does avian influenza affect birds

Avian influenza is a viral disease that can affect bird species throughout the world. The disease can vary from mild to severe, depending on the virus strain involved. The most severe strain, called highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), is caused by viruses with H5 or H7 surface proteins.

(The common Avian Influenza virus under a microscope.). Avian Influenza, also known as Influenza, Bird Plague, AI, or Avian Flu, is a worldwide virus, birds being the carriers. It is the most dangerous virus known, to any animal. Avian Influenza is extremely lethal, wide-spreading, and commonly has acute symptoms; it is a virus every chicken raiser and non-chicken raiser should know well. This virus is wide-spreading and makes chickens drop like flies.

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does dengue fever recur

Hospitalization can be required, especially for dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), a more severe and sometimes fatal form of the disease, but the good news is that dengue fever does not recur spontaneously, as does malaria.s it turns out, pretty high. * * *. Dengue fever (pronounced DENG-ee) is a common cause of illness in travelers returning to the United States from tropical areas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms consistent with dengue fever. When the fever declines, symptoms including persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing, may develop.. What are the symptoms of the disease? A. The principal symptoms of dengue fever are high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, and mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gums bleed, easy bruising).

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what is the deadliest disease

1. Coronary Artery Disease (Ischemic Heart Disease). The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD, also called ischemic heart disease, occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 7.4 million people died of ischemic heart disease in 2012.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is the world's deadliest to date and the World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency as more than 3,850 people have died of the virus in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria this year.

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West Nile case verified

A Hesperia woman has contracted he West Nile virus â€-he first High Desert case of the mosquito-borne virus, San Bernardino County Public Health officials said Monday.

Report highlights rat-run fear A new report from the Dutch research organisation Stichting Onderzoek Navigatiesystemen seeks to compare different satellite navigation systems, and finds that only one allows for proper route planning while labelling the rest "kid killers".…

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Anthrax behind Uganda Hippo deaths mystery

Nearly 200 hippopotamuses are dead after an anthrax outbreak in western Uganda. Wildlife officials in the East African nation said Tuesday 194 Hippos had died In Queen Elizabeth National Park since July.

If you thought RIPA was bad... Proposed telecoms interception laws in Zimbabwe have created a furore with the government apparently awarding itself unlimited snooping powers.…

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Hawaii study examines monk seal deaths

More endangered Hawaiian monk seals are trapped and killed by marine debris during years when the El Nino phenomenon warms tropical Pacific waters, according to University of Hawaii researchers.

Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) ["Common Kestrel Tested for H5 Virus in HK" - Xinhua headline] Hong Kong, Feb.

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More West Nile Virus cases confirmed

Four more birds have tested positive for the West Nile Virus in San Luis Obispo County. Environmental health officials say birds found in Cambria, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Grover Beach died from the mosquito-borne illness.

That&#39;s what some nurses are thinking after vaccination sites around the Twin Cities are being left with extra doses of vaccine, despite the nationwide shortage.

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Thousands of Miles From Home, and Possibly Carrying Avian Flu

Scientists have found proof that bar-headed geese — one suspect in moving avian flu around the world — can travel 3,000 miles from their breeding grounds.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- One last birdie putt he didn't need. One final victory that didn't count.

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Officials ask public to stay aware of West Nile

Kane County health officials again this week warned residents against forgetting about West Nile virus as the number of virus-carrying mosquitoes appears to be on the rise.

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Newmont Mining admitted Wednesday that it released mercury into the environment on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, but denied the releases sickened nearby residents.

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Region still on watch for West Nile

As summer winds down, public health officials are keeping track of the potentially deadly West Nile virus. So far, Ingham County has been spared from human cases of the virus, and officials want to keep it that way.

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Newmont Mining admitted Wednesday that it released mercury into the environment on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, but denied the releases sickened nearby residents.

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The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 , as the population decline in parts of the species ' range is likely to be well over 70 % during the last three generations .

The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 .

In September 1995 a fire destroyed the restaurant . Following the 1995 season the park was closed down , deserted and devastated .

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San Diego Has First Human West Nile Case

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County health officials reported today that a man in his 50s has been confirmed as the first person in the county to contract the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.

By Gillian Flaccus THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OJAI -- Firefighters, aided by calmer winds and aircraft dropping water and fire-smothering chemicals, gained ground Sunday against a wildfire that has burned more than 200 square miles in the Los Padres National Forest.

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Eagle death toll now at 22 after mishap

Most of the 30 bald eagles who survived a disastrous dive into a truck full of fish guts are close to recovery, said officials at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge.

RALEIGH, NC - At least 24 people, most of them children, have been infected with E. coli bacteria (news - web sites), and the outbreak might be connected to a petting zoo that was at the State Fair, authorities said.

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Taco Bell outbreak not over, officials say

U.S. health officials said on Monday they were not ready to declare an end to an E. coli outbreak, linked to Taco Bell, that sickened at least 64 people, saying they could not confirm that green onions were the source of the bacteria.

I filled this article with obscenities. Wal-Mart cleaned it up.

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West Nile Virus Suspected in Fairfax Man&#39;s Death

Fairfax County health officials said an elderly man has died of a suspected case of West Nile virus. If additional tests confirm the diagnosis, his death will be the first reported fatality from the virus in Virginia this year.

By REX BOWMAN Wildfires driven by high winds sprang up across Southwest Virginia yesterday, prompting the evacuation of a hotel in Norton, in Wise County. Several of the fires were caused by rail-grinding work to smooth Norfolk Southern Corp.

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Japan Says Man Died of Mad Cow Disease

Analysts said the discovery of a human case of mad cow disease in Japan may hamper efforts to resume beef imports from the United States.

A priest is in a critical condition after being attacked by men armed with machetes on an island where Westerners have been warned they are at risk from Muslim terrorists.

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Plague threatens local lemons

A PLAGUE of insects known as chilli thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood) has been detected at a farm in Cox by the regional agriculture department. Full story in Costa Blanca News – out on Thursday this week due to Friday bank holiday.

Cast aside "like rubbish" and turned away even by nursing homes, these elderly outcasts are given dignity at the end of life by volunteer groups outraged by their plight. YANGON, MYANMAR: There she lay, on the ground in the darkness of night, moaning in pain as rats - drawn to the smell of blood from the lacerations on her body - nibbled at her wounds. Start the conversation, or Read more at Channelnewsasia.com.

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Japan Insists Tokyo Olympic Games Will Take Place Despite Pandemic Uncertainty

Japan says the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in 151 days, even with much of the country in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus.

Back in 1947, Alexander John Haddow made a discovery that didn't seem particularly important. He was part of a team doing research on yellow fever in Uganda, and he identified a new virus that was making a monkey in his lab sick. He named the virus Zika, after the Zika forest where his lab was located. At first, Haddow believed only monkeys were affected. It turns out humans could catch the virus, too, but in Uganda, there have been only two documented cases (although that may be because the symptoms are often mild or even nonexistent). The Scottish scientist kept detailed records of his research. There were journals, videos, drawings and photographs. From his records, it's clear that Haddow was not particularly alarmed by the virus. And there were other more dangerous viruses to focus on, like yellow fever. When he died in 1978, he left his collection of Zika records to the University of Glasgow. The collection was rarely disturbed — until this year, when the Zika virus grabbed international headlines. And so Haddow's archives came into the spotlight. "After Zika became such a hot topic, it struck a chord with the people in the archive," says Claire Donald, a researcher in the university's Center for Virus Research who is part of a team working to develop a Zika vaccine. "They went through it and found this treasure trove." Mosquitoes were a big part of the research. The team daily would capture hundreds of mosquitoes using "human bait" — young boys from nearby communities. The boys would allow the mosquitoes to alight and bite before the scientists would pluck the insects off and drop them into test tubes. The researchers built something called Haddow's Tower — a six-level wooden construction where the "bait" would stand. Haddow would note the elevation at which the mosquitoes were captured, indicating if they swarmed high in the air or near the ground. They also built platforms in trees for their mosquito "bait" to wait. The handwriting in the journals that Haddow filled with details and graphs is neat and precise. Because of the old-fashioned style, "I found it a wee bit difficult at first," admits Eleanor Tiplady, a doctoral student in immunology who has just wrapped up a three-month internship dedicated to burrowing through the Haddow collection. "He obviously took great pride in his penmanship." In 1948, Haddow pinpointed that the virus came from the Aedes africanus species of mosquito. He'd caught the Zika-carrying mosquito on the tree platform. "That was the key finding," says Donald. Those mosquitoes are "very aggressive daytime biters." And they bite a wide range of animals in addition to humans. Today, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the one spreading Zika in Latin America. "I was struck by the meticulousness of his records," Tiplady says. His science books are crammed with data from the mosquito catches, including how many were captured and where, which species and the time of day. There are also photographs of the tower — and drawings. Haddow was a talented artist who sketched some of the monkeys infected with yellow fever. Tiplady says she thinks the drawings were mainly for scientific purposes, but he seemed to enjoy sketching and also drew Ugandans in ceremonial headdresses. Some of the archival material will be displayed at a panel on "Zika Virus: Past, Present & Future" at the Glasgow Science Fesitval on June 15. Zika was one of 10 to 15 other new viruses discovered by his team, but most of them haven't been studied. One is the Semliki Forest virus, which like Zika is mild. Another is the chikungunya virus, "which is quite debilitating," she says. Tiplady says the unearthing of Haddow's archive reminds the world that Africa's jungles harbor many relatively unknown viruses and pathogens. These viruses can remain relatively dormant for years before making a grand reappearance, or morphing from minor irritation into major public-health problem. "The next Zika," she says, "could be one of the other viruses they discovered."

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Florida Reports First Local Mosquitoes With Zika; Bromeliads Removed

Mosquitoes trapped on Miami Beach have been found to carry the Zika virus. Crews have been spraying pesticide, and the city has removed bromeliads — plants that are ideal mosquito breeding spots.

Good morning, here are our early stories: -- Hungary Closes Budapest Train Station To Migrants Traveling To Western Europe. -- 10 Highlights From The 7,000 Pages Of Released Clinton Emails. And here are more early headlines: U.N. Satellite Images Show Destruction Of Ancient Syrian Temple. (New York Times) Thailand Arrests Alleged Bangkok Bomber. (VOA) 2nd Person Dies From Ukrainian Parliament Protest. (BBC) Hurricane Center Tracks 3 Named Storms And A Tropical Depression. (NHC) Legionnaires' Disease Kills 4, Sickens 25 At Illinois Vets Home. (Chicago Tribune) Fourteen Officers, Inmates Hurt In Baltimore Jail Fight. (Baltimore Sun) Final 4 Designs Picked For New Zealand's New Flag. (NZTV) Phoenix Monsoon Traps Motorists In Flash Flooding, Cuts Power. (AzCentral) Scientists Find Fossil Of Giant Sea Scorpion, About 460 Million Years Old. (Newsweek)

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Who provided aid for the extratropical cyclone?

On 23 May 2001, the islands experienced an extratropical cyclone that generated winds up to 190 kilometres per hour (120 mph). A number of structures were severely damaged and a large number of cattle were killed, prompting emergency aid, provided by the British government.

Green and the CPI further noted another exploit of the ESA in their discussion of the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). Not only had they found documentation that 151 of these primates had inadvertently made their way from the Harvard-affiliated New England Regional Primate Research Center into the exotic pet trade through the aforementioned loophole, but in October 1976, over 800 cotton-top tamarins were imported into the United States in order to beat the official listing of the species under the ESA.

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How many pandas escaped the reserve?

Initially, officials were unable to contact the Wolong National Nature Reserve, home to around 280 giant pandas. However, the Foreign Ministry later said that a group of 31 British tourists visiting the Wolong Panda Reserve in the quake-hit area returned safe and uninjured to Chengdu. Nonetheless, the well-being of an even greater number of pandas in the neighbouring panda reserves remained unknown. Five security guards at the reserve were killed by the earthquake. Six pandas escaped after their enclosures were damaged. By May 20, two pandas at the reserve were found to be injured, while the search continued for another two adult pandas that went missing after the quake. By May 28, 2008, one panda was still missing. The missing panda was later found dead under the rubble of an enclosure. Nine-year-old Mao Mao, a mother of five at the breeding center, was discovered on Monday, her body crushed by a wall in her enclosure. Panda keepers and other workers placed her remains in a small wooden crate and buried her outside the breeding centre.

On 16 March 2011, the freighter MS Oliva ran aground on Nightingale Island, spilling tons of heavy fuel oil into the ocean, leaving an oil slick threatening the island's population of rockhopper penguins. Nightingale Island has no fresh water, so the penguins were transported to Tristan da Cunha for cleaning.

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Vietnam reports new human bird flu case

HANOI - A 16-year-old girl in Vietnam&#39;s southern province of Tay Ninh has been found to be infected with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, a hospital said Thursday.

Syphilis is back: The sexually transmitted disease long associated with 19th Century bohemian life is making an alarming resurgence in Europe.

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Asean bird flu taskforce targets action areas

SINGAPORE (dpa) - An Asean taskforce set up to deal with the bird flu threat targeted on Tuesday eight &quot;action areas&quot; including drawing up emergency preparedness plans to respond quickly to new outbreaks.

Some Northland charities and churches are asking for donations to help the victims of southern Asia&#39;s tsunami disaster, and more may do so.

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WHO warns it is more worried about bird flu than SARS

BEIJING : The World Health Organization has said it is more worried about bird flu than SARS, warning a pandemic is likely to occur unless effective measures are taken, Chinese state media said.

PARIS, Sept. 23 -- French secret service officials have informed the French government that Saudi Arabia is trying to confirm intelligence reports that Osama bin Laden, the masterminded of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, recently died of typhoid in a remote area of...

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Vietnam Finds New Case of Human Bird Flu

A 16-year-old Vietnamese girl has been infected with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus and her condition is stable, a doctor said on Thursday.

Hospitals in the Indonesian capital were overwhelmed on Tuesday with hundreds of flood victims suffering from water-borne diseases after the city's worst flooding in five years.

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Death in Thailand May Mark Progression of &#39;Bird Flu&#39;

A young woman who died in Bangkok 10 days ago appears to have had the first confirmed case of person-to-person transmission of the &quot;bird flu&quot; that emerged in Southeast Asia last winter.

Heavy rains, flash floods and landslides have killed more than 300 people in the storm-swept Philippines, the BBC reported Tuesday.

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China gears up to fight bird flu

China is gearing up to fight possible outbreaks of bird flu this winter and is training scientists and health workers across the country to diagnose the deadly disease in humans and animals, a top scientist says.

A Polish town finds geese rearing a good way of keeping heads above water in an uncertain economic climate.

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Travel problems not anticipated over New Year&#39;s weekend

MANATEE - The combination of computer crashes, wintry weather and lost luggage that turned last weekend into the Flightmare during Christmas for many airline passengers isn&#39;t likely to repeat itself during the busy New Year&#39;s holiday weekend, travel

This year, bird flu seems all but forgotten. But scientists say that the virus is as dangerous and unpredictable as ever.

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Tropical dengue fever may threaten U.S.: report

WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters Life!) - Dengue fever -- a tropical infection that usually causes flu-like illness -- may be poised to spread across the United States and urgent study is needed, health officials said on Tuesday.

MIAMI, FL., Weds. Sept. 1: Hurricane Frances could hit the Bahamas and the Turks &amp; Caicos today, according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami last night.

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Flu Pandemic Will Kill Millions, UN Experts Predict

Bird flu will trigger an influenza pandemic among people that could kill up to 7 million, experts from the United Nations&#39; World Health Organization predict.

A BBC team finds new evidence of mass ethnic killings and rape in Darfur, adding to fears of genocide.

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Flooding Kills 14 in Southern China

BEIJING - Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains killed at least 14 people in southern China and forced 20,000 from their homes, a state news agency reported Sunday.

A girl becomes the 11th Thai victim of bird flu this year, dying only a few days after falling ill.

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New theory on spread of deadly bird flu virus

The World Health Organisation believes domesticated ducks may be the main transmitters of the H5N1 bird flu virus that killed 32 people in Asia this year.

PARIS, Sept. 23 -- French secret service officials have informed the French government that Saudi Arabia is trying to confirm intelligence reports that Osama bin Laden, the masterminded of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, recently died of typhoid in a remote area of...

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Up to 60 dead in Vietnam's worst bridge accident

A Japanese-funded bridge under construction in southern Vietnam collapsed on Wednesday, killing up to 60 workers and injuring around 150 in the country's worst such disaster.

A girl becomes the 11th Thai victim of bird flu this year, dying only a few days after falling ill.

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Singapore ban after bird flu case

Singapore blocks imports of poultry and eggs from Malaysia, after an outbreak of potentially deadly bird flu.

Malaysians are the world's worst "text rats" who love to send flirty messages behind their partner's back, according to a survey.

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Reporters' log: Asia disaster

The BBC's correspondents report on the devastation caused by Sunday's tsunamis across the Indian Ocean.

China considers a new law enabling scientists to report research failures without harming their careers.

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Thailand Reports 11th Human Death From Bird Flu Virus

A Thai girl in a northern province died after being infected with the avian influenza virus, bringing to 11 the number of people killed from the disease in the country, an official at the Health Ministry said.

At least three people die and many are hurt as a storm wreaks havoc at a firework display in Budapest.

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Japan holds bird flu drill for human cases

Japan held a drill on Monday to test its readiness for dealing with human cases of bird flu, with a limping mock patient -- wearing a white mask and labeled "Mr. A" -- being whisked to hospital in an ambulance and tested.

A major bid to get kereru, the native woodpigeon, back into the nation's gardens has been launched.

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Cholera-hit Indians 'face hunger'

Tribal people are facing starvation in eastern India where cholera has killed scores in recent weeks.

N'DJAMENA - Six French aid workers sentenced to hard labor in Chad for trying to kidnap 103 children flew out of the African nation on Friday bound for France where they are due to serve their sentences in jail.

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Thai tigers culled over bird flu

About 50 tigers are put down in a Thai zoo after showing symptoms of bird flu, taking the death toll past 80.

Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. BANGKOK, Thailand -- The sacking of Myanmar&#39;s prime minister prompted concern among the country&#39;s neighbors

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Russia, Japan ban British poultry over bird flu

Russia and Japan banned British poultry imports as Britain neared the end of a cull of 160,000 turkeys after the nation's first outbreak of a deadly strain of bird flu in farmed poultry.

A Polish town finds geese rearing a good way of keeping heads above water in an uncertain economic climate.

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