2018 National & International News Stories.

[boatbuilder]

Latest post of the previous page:

Didn't Waveney try this quite a few years ago? Of course they did! And then two or three years ago, or thereabouts, they decided it all had to go back into the Black general waste bin rather than the Green composting bin.

Plan for food waste to be separated

All households in England may be given a separate caddy for food waste, under plans to be announced next week.
Ministers are backing the idea, but will offer it for consultation before any changes happen.
The scheme would reduce greenhouse gases from landfill, but could lead to less frequent collections of general household waste.
Some councils will oppose the policy unless they are given extra funds to carry out the scheme.
At the moment, only around 35% of households in England are obliged to put food waste in its own caddy.
That compares with 56% in Scotland and 100% in Wales. The figures exclude food waste mixed with garden waste.
While the new rule would force councils to offer separate food caddies, people would not be obliged to use them.
Why do we need food caddies?
Unwanted food that goes into a general bin rots in landfill and creates methane - a powerful greenhouse gas.
When waste food is collected separately, it can be put into an anaerobic digester - a tank in which the food breaks down into sludge, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane, which can be used for generating energy or running a vehicle.
The residual sludge is used as a soil fertiliser.
The change will help the government reach its targets on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Some local councils say there’s a long-term bonus from having food waste separated and collecting it every week.
Because when rotting food is safely in the caddy, general waste collections can be reduced to every two or more weeks without providing a feast for flies.
What are the drawbacks?
The policy has been controversial for people wanting bins emptied every week. Some councils say the scheme is too expensive.
It creates a problem with disposing of nappies and the food waste caddies create extra clutter for front gardens or streets.
But the plan does fit with the government strategy of changing our relationship with the stuff we throw away.
Recyclenow, the government-backed campaign, says: "Throwing away food is a huge waste of the energy, water and packaging used in its production, transportation and storage.
“If we all stopped wasting the food which could have been eaten, it would have the same CO₂ impact as taking one in four cars off UK roads.”

BBC News

[boatbuilder]

Fire at Chester Zoo leads to evacuation of visitors

A large fire has broken out at Chester Zoo, prompting an evacuation of visitors.
The zoo tweeted the blaze had broken out in its Monsoon Forest habitat. It said teams were working to bring the blaze under control and to move all animals away from the fire.
North West Ambulance said it was rung after 11:40 GMT as a precaution, but there were no patients needing help.
The site is one of the most popular tourism venues in the UK.
Some visitors at the zoo tweeted images from the scene including Sophie Flynn, who said zoo staff were "working hard to deal" with the fire, which "happened very quickly".
"It started as a little fire [...] which we saw but it's obviously much worse now!"
David Clough, who lives across the road from the zoo, said: "We first saw signs of the fire shortly after 11.30 GMT."
He added: "It was spreading across the roof in strong winds for a while.
"Lots of fire engines arrived quickly."
He said "the main flames had gone, but there's a smaller fire still burning at the southern end of the roof".
"We were very worried for the people and animals that would have been in the building."
The zoo tweeted it had closed the whole site, adding: "Visitors have been evacuated and our response team is working alongside emergency services to bring the situation under control." The Monsoon Forest building is the UK's largest zoological building, according to the attraction, and opened as part of the zoo's islands section in August 2015.
The 14-acre section houses Sumatran orang-utans, rhinoceros hornbills, crocodiles and a variety of plant species.
It has its own tropical weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 26.6C to replicate conditions in South East Asia.
Chester Zoo is said to be the UK's most visited zoo outside London, drawing nearly two million visitors annually.
It has more than 21,000 animals of 500 different species and has been the subject of many TV programmes including the BBC's Our Zoo drama in 2014.
The venue says it plays a significant part in wildlife conservation, helping to save endangered species.

BBC News

Let's hope all the animals and people are safe.

[Trigger]

Stansted Airport: Drone 'missed landing plane by 15m'

A drone flying more than 20 times the allowed height came within 15m (50ft) of a Boeing 737 approaching a runway at Stansted Airport in Essex.
The plane was flying at 10,000ft (3km) and coming in to land on 17 August when the captain spotted the drone.
The first officer then saw "a dark-coloured square or rectangle-shaped object pass down the right side of the aircraft with minimal separation".
The UK Airprox Board rated the risk of collision as the highest possible.
After the incident, which happened at 16:36 BST, the plane was inspected on the ground and found no evidence of contact or damage.
It is not known whether the Boeing 737 was carrying passengers or cargo.
BBC

[Trigger]

Catholic priest at teenager's funeral condemns suicide

Parents of a teenage boy who took his own life have complained after their Catholic priest criticised him at the funeral for killing himself.
Father Don LaCuesta in the service questioned whether Maison Hullibarger, 18, would enter heaven, horrifying his parents and family.
The Archdiocese of Detroit have relieved Father LaCuesta from funeral duties, but the family want him fired.
Catholicism has traditionally taught that suicide is an unforgiveable sin.
Only recently has the church said that extreme psychological stress could mean forgiveness for those who take their own lives.
His parents Jeff and Linda Hullibarger sought the help of their priest, Father LaCuesta, before the funeral.
"We wanted him to celebrate how Maison lived, not how he died," Ms Hullibarger told the Detroit Free Press.
But the priest used the service at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church to attack their child.
"He was up there condemning our son, pretty much calling him a sinner," Mr Hullibarger said. "He wondered if he had repented enough to make it to heaven. He said 'suicide' upwards of six times."
BBC

[Trigger]

Severn bridges: M4 Severn crossing reopens toll free

Tolls to cross the Severn bridges into Wales have officially been scrapped after 52 years.
The first lorry made its way across the Prince of Wales Bridge for free just after 06:30 GMT on Monday.
"It feels fantastic - the first time ever to cross the bridge for free - it's an exciting moment," said haulier Craig Evans as he passed the dismantled toll booths.
The two bridges see 25 million journeys across the Severn every year.
The removal of the fee, which was £5.60 for a car, on the M4 and M48 bridges between south-west England and Wales may save commuters up to £1,400 a year.
Demolition of toll booths on the M4 Prince of Wales bridge has begun and three lanes have been re-opened, with a 50mph (80km/h) speed restriction on temporary narrow lanes.
The M48 original Severn crossing between Chepstow and Aust is now closed until 07:00 GMT Wednesday, for the tolls to be dismantled.
Further work will be carried out in 2019 to return both routes to a three-lane motorway with the usual 70mph speed limit.
The Queen opened the first bridge in 1966 and it is the first time in history for most travellers that being able to cross the Severn Estuary that separates Monmouthshire and south Gloucestershire is free.
BBC

[Trigger]

Deer poacher ordered to watch Disney's Bambi during jail sentence for illegal hunting

A poacher in the US has been ordered to repeatedly watch the Disney classic Bambi after he was sentenced for illegally killing hundreds of deer.
David Berry Jr, from Missouri, will have to watch the film at least once a month during his year-long jail sentence, according to local newspaper, the Springfield News-Leader.
Conservation agents have called the case one of the largest related to deer poaching in the state's history.
Prosecutors said the animals were killed for their heads and their bodies were left to rot.
Berry was convicted of illegally taking wildlife in southwest Missouri's Lawrence County.
Prosecuting attorney Don Trotter said: "The deer were trophy bucks taken illegally, mostly at night, for their heads, leaving the bodies of the deer to waste."
Court records showed the defendant is "to view the Walt Disney movie Bambi, with the first viewing being on or before December 23, 2018, and at least one such viewing each month thereafter, during the defendant's incarceration in the Lawrence County Jail".
Three relatives and another man were also convicted in connection with the poaching case.
They have paid $51,000 (£40,400) in fines and court costs.
Sky News

[Trigger]

Nature officials grant licences to shoot some of Britain’s most endangered birds

Wildlife lovers are in uproar after officials in charge of nature-protection gave gun owners permission to shoot dead some of Britain’s most treasured and rarest bird species.
Welsh conservation chiefs gave the go-ahead for the slaughter of dozens of breeds including kestrels, curlew, linnets, sparrows and fieldfares. More than 1,000 birds may have been killed under the permits.
The revelation comes days after nature fans posted furious objections over similar licences granted in England to kill thousands of endangered birds from dozens of breeds – ranging from skylarks and lapwings to rare species such as meadow pipits and oyster-catchers.
They also included garden favourites wrens, robins and bullfinches.
Many of the species are on the RSPB red and amber lists, meaning they are of the highest or critical conservation priority. They may be globally threatened with extinction, in severe decline or rare breeders.
Environmentalists condemned the decisions as “appalling”, a “horror story” and “wanton, mindless destruction”.
But officials said the permits were handed out for air safety, public health and safety and to prevent serious damage to livestock.
Natural England, which says it promotes nature conservation, issued permits over the past three years between 2015 and 2018 to shoot at least 40 species, including the skylark, blackbird, great tit, bullfinch, robin, wren, red kite, moorhen, mute swan, kestrel, peregrine falcon and golden plover.
Natural Resources Wales, which states that it “maintains and enhances biodiversity”, issued 73 licences to kill at least 20 species, including the linnet, redwing, song thrush, mistle thrush, meadow pipit, lapwing and skylark.
Independent

[Trigger]

Members of banned Nazi group jailed

A neo-Nazi couple who named their baby after Adolf Hitler and were convicted of being members of a banned terrorist group have been jailed.
Adam Thomas, 22, and Claudia Patatas, 38, from Banbury, were part of National Action and had "a long history of violent racist beliefs", a judge said.
Birmingham Crown Court heard the couple gave their child the middle name Adolf in "admiration" of Hitler.
Thomas was jailed for six years and six months, and Patatas for five years.
In total six people were sentenced for being part of what Judge Melbourne Inman QC described as a group with "horrific aims".
Daniel Bogunovic, 27, from Leicester, was convicted of being a member of the banned group after standing trial alongside the couple.
Described by prosecutors as a "committed National Action leader, propagandist and strategist", he was jailed for six years and four months.
BBC

[boatbuilder]

Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights

Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended amid reports of drones being flown over the airfield.
Passengers faced delays and diversions after two of the unmanned devices were spotted near a runway.
Those due to take off said their planes were stuck on the Tarmac, while some due to land at Gatwick said their flights were redirected to airports hundreds of miles away.
The airport warned the disruption could continue into Thursday.
A spokesman confirmed there were no flights in or out of the airport, and that it was working with Sussex Police to investigate the drone sightings.
He apologised for any inconvenience but said safety was Gatwick's "foremost priority".
Those heading to the airport to travel or meet relatives have been advised to check the status of their flights first.

Full Story on BBC

[boatbuilder]

With Gatwick airport still shutdown, as reported earlier this morning, there are only ground vehicles moving about as in this image from Flightradar24 just now.

[boatbuilder]

Services mark Lockerbie bombing 30th anniversary

Services are to be held in Scotland and the US to remember the victims of the Lockerbie bombing 30 years on.
Wreaths will be laid at a memorial garden in Lockerbie to honour the 270 people killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up on 21 December 1988.
A message from the Queen marking the "solemn anniversary" will also be read out at the memorial.
Eleven people in Lockerbie died along with 259 passengers and crew on board the plane bound for New York.
It was the biggest mass murder on British soil in recent history.
The majority of those on board the plane which fell on the town in south-west Scotland were American.
Services will also be held at Syracuse University, Arlington National Cemetery and FBI headquarters in Washington DC.
The Lockerbie wreath-laying will see victims' relatives join members of the community who assisted in the aftermath of the atrocity.
The Lord Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire Fiona Armstrong will read out a message from the Queen and pay tribute to the "remarkable community" in the town.
"Please convey my warm thanks to the people of Dumfriesshire for their kind message, sent on the occasion of their Remembrance service to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing, which is being held today," the Queen said.
"I send my prayers and good wishes to all those who will be marking this solemn anniversary."The Lockerbie wreath-laying will see victims' relatives join members of the community who assisted in the aftermath of the atrocity.

Full report - BBC South Scotland

[Trigger]

Harrods workers admit fatal Trafalgar Square attack on homeless man

Two Harrods workers are facing jail after they admitted attacking a homeless man in Trafalgar Square who later died.
Desmond O'Beirne, 51, was filmed running away from Lucas Antunes and Luis Abella near the National Gallery on 3 June 2017 before he was floored with a single punch.
He died from a head injury six months later.
Antunes pleaded guilty to manslaughter and Abella admitted attempted assault.
Antunes was extradited from the United States to face the manslaughter charge.
Mr O'Beirne, who was homeless, had asked the pair for a cigarette.
When they said no, he allegedly threatened to "shank" them.
But in CCTV footage, Mr O'Beirne was moving away from the pair when Antunes, 21, floored him with a punch in the head, and Abella, 22, appeared to kick him.
Mr O'Beirne died on December 20 last year.
Antunes, of Tottenham, north London, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to manslaughter earlier this month.
His co-defendant Abella, from Lambeth, south London, no longer faces a manslaughter charge but admitted attempted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Friday.
The pair will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 8 February.
Earlier this year, police offered £20,000 to anyone who could help them track down the culprits.
Mr O'Beirne's sister, Vivienne Folan, previously said she was "devastated" by the loss of her "larger than life" brother.
BBC

[Trigger]

Gatwick drones: Two arrested over flight disruption

Two people have been arrested in connection with a string of drone sightings that brought Gatwick Airport to a standstill.
A 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, from Crawley, were arrested in the town at about 22:00 GMT on Friday.
Flights had been grounded for more than a day, affecting about 140,000 passengers, after drones were seen near the runway.
The airport has since reopened and flights are operating on schedule.
Sussex Police said it was continuing to investigate the "criminal use of drones" and appealed for information.
The airport said it aimed to run "a full schedule" of 757 flights on Saturday, carrying 124,484 passengers.
BBC

[Trigger]

Midwife's red hair falls foul of hospital rules

A long-serving midwife said she has been stopped from working because of the colour of her hair.
Donna Crichton, from Sleaford, said she was told her bright red hair was not acceptable under United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust's (ULHT) uniform policy.
She spoke out after union criticism of the trust and said the decision had stopped her doing her job since June.
ULHT would not comment on active cases but said it expected staff to comply with its dress and appearance rules.
Ms Crichton said she first dyed her hair red in 2004 and it was not an issue when she was taken on by the trust more than seven years ago.
"Everyone knows me as the midwife with red hair," she added.
She said she was only notified of action and sent home at the end of June after a manager took issue with her hair at a training event.
The action came months after the trust updated its uniform policy in October 2017.
"I am embarrassed that the colour of my hair and me taking a stand has stopped me working when there are more important issues in this world," she said.
"I am devastated because I've been prevented from doing the job I absolutely adore."
She spoke out after the Unite union passed a motion of no confidence in ULHT on Monday, claiming bosses were more worried about hair colour and socks than understaffing.
BBC

[morty1753]

Gatwick drones: Two arrested over flight disruption

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... drone.html
BBC

According to news reports the couple have now been released without charge and are no longer suspects.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... drone.html

[boatbuilder]

It never ceases to amaze me how some newspapers, Daily Mail in this instance, then go on to publish personal information which has no relevance to the incident whatsoever. What has the fact that somebody else is the mother of his child from 15 years previous got to do with this case? They should be taken to task on such things, particularly when the person, as in this instance, is not the guilty party.