news – Page 921 – Blancer.com Tutorials and projects

Bravery medal for crash soldier

Rifleman Robinson had been released from Headley Court the day before

A Leeds soldier who carried on detecting land mines in Afghanistan despite being severely wounded is to be awarded a posthumous bravery medal.

Rifleman Ross Robinson, 21, was clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices (IED) when he and colleagues were hurt last year.

He struggled to his feet and began clearing a route to the casualties.

The soldier, who died in a road accident in May, is to receive the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for bravery.

Safe schools ‘will cost billions’

Nine schools in Sandwell borough were among the building projects cancelled

At least £15bn is needed over the next four years to ensure structurally sound classrooms for all England’s children, research suggests.

The government scrapped Labour’s £45bn school building programme in July, saying it was wasteful.

The estimate is based on a survey of 40% of councils, with the results scaled up to represent all 152.

It is part of the Local Government Association’s submission to the government’s review of spending.

The Department for Education says it will set out plans for capital spending on schools after the comprehensive spending review on 20 October.

It has also launched a review into school building, chaired by Sebastian James of the Dixons group.

The survey was carried out jointly by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).

The two groups say it shows that £15bn in the period leading up to 2015 is the minimum investment considered essential by local authorities, to ensure that every child can be taught in a classroom which is safe and structurally sound.

They say that beyond the bare minimum – a wider total of £29.3bn is required.

The figures form part of the LGA’s submissions to the comprehensive spending review and the James review.

“Everyone is well aware of the difficult financial climate in which councils are operating,” said Baroness Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the LGA.

“We need to work even harder to ensure that the money that is invested in school buildings represents the best possible value for the taxpayer.”

Marion Davis, President of ADCS, said the survey showed there was an urgent need for continued investment in school building.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said: “We’re clear that all future capital investment needs to go where it is needed most. Ministers want to target schools in most disrepair far better and deal with the urgent demand for primary school places – a problem we cannot afford to ignore.”

The spokesman said all future investment must be “realistic and affordable, offer far greater value-for-money, and have far less red tape and bureaucracy”.

Some 700 planned building projects were put on hold when the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme was scrapped in July.

BSF was a sweeping plan to rebuild every secondary school in England.

Under it many ambitious, architect-designed premises were developed in consultation with schools.

But critics said it was overly bureaucratic and poor value for money.

Some recent school building projects were innovative, ambitious designs

Its initial budget of £45bn was later revised upwards to £55bn.

However, the cancellations were met with anger, partly because many projects had already involved costly and time-consuming planning.

Some were in dilapidated schools and institutions which relied on temporary classrooms.

The LGA has estimated that £203m has been spent by councils on BSF projects which were cancelled.

Ministers want to target schools in most disrepair far better and deal with the urgent demand for primary school places – a problem we cannot afford to ignore.

There was also anger sparked by mistakes in the list of cancelled building projects.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Swiss politician overcome by giggles

Swiss Finance Minister Hans Rudolf was discussing a parliamentary bill about meat imports when he was overcome by the need to laugh, apparently at the language he was using.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Bank break-ups on inquiry agenda

Are investment banks really little more than casinos?

The future of Britain’s banks is set to come under further scrutiny when a government-backed inquiry sets out its priorities for the industry.

The Independent Commission on Banking (IBC) is expected to say that it will look into the splitting of retail and investment banking operations.

Critics say this could damage the UK’s competitive edge and make banks flee.

The IBC, chaired by Sir John Vickers, was set up to look at financial stability and competition.

It will take at least a year to review whether investment banks should be split from deposit-taking institutions on the High Street.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has been vocal in calls for “casino” banks to be hived off from retail deposits.

But HSBC recently warned it would consider moving its headquarters from the UK if the commission recommended a break-up, while Standard Chartered has also recently questioned the future of its UK headquarters.

Stuart Gulliver, head of HSBC’s investment banking division, made the warning at a banking conference, saying he was “genuinely concerned” that the banking commission would recommend splitting up banks.

“[That] has significant implications clearly for where we may choose to headquarter our institution.”

“I want to be crystal clear. Our preference is to be headquartered in the UK,” added Mr Gulliver.

The commission is also likely to probe High Street competition – possibly leading to calls for the likes of Lloyds Banking Group to shrink.

Sir John, the ex-chairman of the Office of Fair Trading, is joined on the commission by Clare Spottiswoode, the former director-general of Ofgas, Martin Taylor, a former chief executive of Barclays, Bill Winters, the former co-chief executive of JP Morgan, and Martin Wolf, the chief economics commentator at the Financial Times.

It is expected that they will question the chief executives of all of Britain’s largest banks.

One of those likely to be quizzed is John Varley, the Barclays boss who will hand over leadership of the bank next year.

Writing in the Financial Times, he said that the operations of investment banks were not like casinos, but he admitted they needed to do a better job of conveying their work to the public.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Shale gas trend to ‘raise prices’

The promise of future shale gas supplies may prove to be empty

Misplaced hope in shale gas may lead to higher prices, a think tank has warned.

Shale gas deposits are abundant, and have been successfully exploited in the US, leading to hopes it will become a major energy source in the future.

However other countries may face prohibitive geological, economic and environmental problems, said foreign affairs analysts Chatham House.

Uncertainty over shale is hurting investment in conventional gas wells, threatening future supplies, it added.

“If shale fails to deliver on current expectations, then in 10 years or so, gas supplies could face serious constraints”

Paul Stevens Chatham HouseQ&A: will shale revolutionise gas?

“If the shale gas revolution in the US continues to flourish and is replicated elsewhere in the world, this inadequate level of investment will not matter,” said Paul Stevens, author of the report.

“However, if shale fails to deliver on current expectations, then in 10 years or so, gas supplies could face serious constraints.”

US unconventional gas production has increased 20-fold over the last decade, thanks to shale, though it is still dwarfed by conventional gas output.

However Chatham House argued that exploiting the energy source elsewhere in the world will cause serious problems.

It says:

shale gas deposits are spread very thinly, and wells are less efficient and dry out more quickly, making their exploitation more costly than conventional gasthe geology of shale deposits is complex and varies enormously from one place to another, meaning it may take a long time to develop drilling technologythere are environmental problems with drilling shale, because chemicals used to pump the gas out can poison drinking water and force salt water to the surfacemost shale deposits do not enjoy the same easy access to pipeline infrastructure that exists in the US.

Hopes over future shale production – along with the impact of the 2008-09 recession – have pushed current gas prices down to levels that make investment in more conventional gas sources uneconomic.

Of particular concern is the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) – a technology that allows gas to be traded internationally like crude oil.

But LNG requires costly investment in facilities, and some projects have recently been shelved.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Fresh call for alcohol glass ban

Young people are likely to accept plastic, says the expert

Alcohol should be served far more often in plastic glasses and bottles to reduce the injury toll from violent attacks, says a researcher.

Dr Alasdair Forsyth, from the Glasgow Centre for the Study of Violence, told a conference that the use of glass as a weapon could be eliminated.

He wants retailers to consider moving to plastic alongside bars and clubs.

A fellow expert said targeting city centres and late-night clubs and pubs should be the priority.

Some estimates put the cost of glass-related violence to the NHS, police and courts at more than £100m a year.

HSBC boss ‘to quit’ in shake-up

Mike Geoghegan would be the latest banking boss announce his departure

The chief executive of the world’s largest bank, HSBC, is to step down, the BBC understands.

Mike Geoghegan is set to be replaced by Stuart Gulliver, the current head of investment banking, business editor Robert Peston said.

Meanwhile, finance executive Doug Flint will become chairman, replacing Stephen Green who is becoming a trade minister, our correspondent added.

A bank spokesman declined to comment on speculation.

“It has been profoundly entertaining for those like me who know the shame that must be felt inside HSBC in appearing no more dignified than a football club riven by factional infighting over who should be the next manager”

Read Robert’s blog

They added that the hunt for a new chairman was ongoing.

The Financial Services Authority is yet to approve either appointment, the BBC understands.

HSBC has a history of promoting its chief executive to the chairmanship and Mr Geoghegan had been seen as a front-runner for the position.

But the bank denied reports that he was to quit after being told he as being overlooked for the position.

“The saga of the replacement of Stephen Green as chairman of HSBC is turning into a farce, which is delicious for spectators but humiliating for one of the world’s most proper and secretive banks,” our business editor said.

“For all HSBC’s success in steering a pretty steady course through the worst banking crisis in 60 years, some would argue that succession planning at such a vast and powerful organisation ought to be a little more orderly.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Protests at Ahmadinejad UN speech

The US and other Western delegations at the UN General Assembly walk out in protest as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad questions the events of 9/11.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Unison withdraws NHS review claim

The government wants GPs to take on more responsibility

Public sector union Unison has won the right to seek a judicial review on the consultation over plans for changes to the NHS in England, it says.

The coalition wants to give GPs control of the budget with local trusts which manage the money now being abolished.

Unison says the plans were not in the parties’ election manifestos.

It says the public has a legal right to be consulted. The government said it had not yet had confirmation of the decision from the courts.

The plans for radical changes to the health service were published in a white paper in July.

The abolition of primary care trusts came as a surprise to many within the health service as the coalition programme for government had envisaged a continuing role for the NHS organisations.

THE KEY CHANGESGPs – Asked to get together in groups to take on responsibility for spending much of the NHS budgetHospitals – Encouraged to move outside the NHS to become “vibrant” industry of social enterprisesPatients – More information and choice, including ability to register with any GP they want toManagers – Strategic health authorities and primary care trusts face the axe

The union wants the consultation to include whether the changes should happen, and not just how they can be made to work.

Karen Jennings, the head of health at Unison said “These drastic changes to the NHS were not in any manifesto – the public did not vote for them.

“They don’t come from a desire to do the best for patients, but from the government’s ideological standpoint that the market knows best.”

The coalition government has argued that the changes will give doctors and nurses a far greater say in the running of the NHS.

GPs will have to organise themselves into groups of practices which will take on the legal responsibility for planning and buying most healthcare for their local community.

Some highly specialised care will be commissioned at a national level by the independent NHS board which is also due to be created.

A date for a hearing at the High Court has yet to be set, but it could happen before the draft legislation is presented to parliament later this year.

The hearing will focus on the consultation process, rather than the substance of the government’s plans.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Swing voters ‘sour on Democrats’

Independents who once supported Mr Obama are now turning on him

Two polls released on Thursday suggest that America’s independent voters are continuing to sour on the Democrats.

Independent voters propelled President Obama’s party to victories in 2006 and 2008, but a majority of them now hold negative views of Democratic policies.

An Associated Press-GfK poll found only one third of independent voters want Democrats to control congress.

A Pew Research Center poll suggests Republicans have a 13 point advantage among independents.

In 2006, when Democrats took control of congress, Democrats had an 18 point lead with independents.

Pew also found that independents are now the largest group of voters. Their numbers have swelled in recent years as disenchantment with both major parties has grown.

Voter turnout is seen as a critical factor in November’s elections. Mid-terms traditionally have much lower turnout that presidential year elections, and the party with the most energized base usually benefits.

The Pew poll found Republicans significantly more likely to vote than Democrats, while independents are more likely to vote in this election than any in Pew’s data set, which dates back to 1994.

In the AP-GfK poll, only around 30% of independents think the country is headed in the right direction and more than half disapprove of President Barack Obama’s performance.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Controversial IFA plans withdrawn

Proposals which could have jeopardised £23m of funding for football in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Obama urges peace talks support

US President Barack Obama, file pic from 22 September

Mr Obama said the road to peace in the Middle East had ‘few peaks and many valleys’

US President Barack Obama has urged fellow world leaders to support Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations currently under way.

He was speaking at the 65th UN General Assembly at the organisation’s New York headquarters.

The week-long diplomatic marathon comes on the heels of a development summit which ended with a US pledge to revamp its foreign aid policy.

Leaders will also holds dozens of extra meetings on the sidelines.

Peace-keeping in Somalia, the possible break-up of Sudan, the conflict in Yemen, climate change and UN reform are all set to feature in these fringe meetings, which our diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says constitute the most important business of the event.

While the Millennium Development Goals summit – which was was also held in new York – had a clear focus, this meeting is more of a free-style event, says our diplomatic correspondent.

At the UN General Assembly, leaders take to the stage to make speeches on a subject of their choice.

Analysis

Mr Obama’s speech reads more like a plea to keep negotiations going than a blueprint to the future. Ever since he took office he has expressed his commitment to making peace in the Middle East.

But he has also had a crash course in the realities of Middle Eastern diplomacy.

He refers to the direct talks that are going on between the Palestinians and Israelis. So far they are all the Obama administration has to show for a year-and-a-half of hard work.

There’s a real chance though that they may fail soon over the question of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is adamant that if Israel doesn’t prolong the partial freeze on building in the occupied territories, he will leave the talks.

The freeze is due to end on the 26th of this month. This week, US diplomats have been trying to get Israelis and Palestinians to find a way through that deadline. So far it doesn’t look as if they have succeeded.

Speaking shortly after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched the diplomatic marathon, the US president urged the audience to support Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations which started on 2 September.

“We have travelled a winding road over the last twelve months, with few peaks and many valleys,” Mr Obama said.

“But this month, I am pleased that we have pursued direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians in Washington, Sharm el-Sheikh and Jerusalem.”

“Peace must be made by Israelis and Palestinians, but each of us has a responsibility to do our part as well.”

“Those who long to see an independent Palestine rise must stop trying to tear down Israel.”

The US president is scheduled to be followed later on Thursday by his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Tensions remain high over Iran’s nuclear programme, which the US and its allies believe is aimed at producing a nuclear bomb.

Iran has already endured four rounds of increasingly punitive economic sanctions over the dispute, and Mr Ahmadinejad’s speech will be scrutinised for any sign of change in his stance.

Foreign ministers from countries including the US, UK, China, France, Germany and Russia discussed the issue at a meeting on Wednesday, and it is also likely to be raised on the fringes of the General Assembly.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York

Mr Ban said the UN had embraced an ambitious agenda for a more prosperous world free of poverty

In his opening address, Mr Ban urged the nations to stand together in a time of growing challenges and uncertainty.

He said the UN provided a moral compass for a world in which social inequalities were growing, with women and children bearing the brunt.

He called for a “stronger UN for a better world”.

“There can be no peace without justice,” he said. “Let us send a clear message: No nation large or small can violate the rights of its citizens with impunity.”

Mr Ban said the UN had embraced an ambitious agenda for a more prosperous world free of poverty, and for a greener, safer world free of nuclear weapons.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

US frees ‘super wi-fi’ airwaves

Wi-fi signals in the newly freed spectrum are better able to travel long distances

The US broadcasting regulator has announced it will make unused television airwaves available for new “super wi-fi” technology.

In a statement, the Federal Communications Commission described the spectrum between television channels as “prime real estate” for mobile devices.

It hopes the move will turn swathes of the country into giant wi-fi hot spots.

Officials also said it would encourage innovation and job growth and make the US more competitive globally.

England team given Delhi go-ahead

The England team will travel to the Commonwealth Games after ‘unanimously’ agreeing the decision with its 17 member sports.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Ahmadinejad speech sparks walk-outs

US and UK delegates have walked out of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s UN General Assembly address. The Iranian president’s remarks about a US-backed conspiracy behind the 9/11 attacks triggered the protest.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.