19/11/2012
Other News In Brief
CBI Calls Schools ‘Exam Factories
Some UK schools have become "exam factories", according to UK business leaders as they call for children to be given a broader education.
The CBI is calling for radical changes to schools saying there is too much focus on exams at 16 and that should be switched to 18, with more emphasis on skills people need for life and work.
It calls for schools inspectors and league tables to look beyond exam results.
Its director general John Cridland said: "In some cases secondary schools have become an exam factory.
"Qualifications are important, but we also need people who have self-discipline and serve customers well. As well as academic rigour, we need schools to produce rounded and grounded young people who have the skills and behaviours that businesses want."
UK Bird Population Drops 44m
The UK bird population has declined by 44 million since 1966, according to a report by conservation groups.
The study is the first of its kind to give an overall view of how birds in the UK have fared over the decades.
It found that while certain species had increased in number, populations of some common birds had diminished dramatically.
The report, "State of the UK's Birds 2012", was compiled from volunteers' observations of birds since the 1960s.
According to the report, carried out by experts from organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the British Trust for Ornithology, there are an estimated 166 million birds nesting in the UK compared with 210 million in 1966.
Fresh Strike Action Launched By Tube Workers
Tube maintenance workers are to stage a new wave of strikes in a row over pensions and benefits.
Staff who maintain and upgrade three Tube lines will walk out for 24 hours at 06:00 on Friday to kick start the industrial action.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union is demanding equality and a fair deal for Tube Lines' employees.
(H)
Some UK schools have become "exam factories", according to UK business leaders as they call for children to be given a broader education.
The CBI is calling for radical changes to schools saying there is too much focus on exams at 16 and that should be switched to 18, with more emphasis on skills people need for life and work.
It calls for schools inspectors and league tables to look beyond exam results.
Its director general John Cridland said: "In some cases secondary schools have become an exam factory.
"Qualifications are important, but we also need people who have self-discipline and serve customers well. As well as academic rigour, we need schools to produce rounded and grounded young people who have the skills and behaviours that businesses want."
UK Bird Population Drops 44m
The UK bird population has declined by 44 million since 1966, according to a report by conservation groups.
The study is the first of its kind to give an overall view of how birds in the UK have fared over the decades.
It found that while certain species had increased in number, populations of some common birds had diminished dramatically.
The report, "State of the UK's Birds 2012", was compiled from volunteers' observations of birds since the 1960s.
According to the report, carried out by experts from organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the British Trust for Ornithology, there are an estimated 166 million birds nesting in the UK compared with 210 million in 1966.
Fresh Strike Action Launched By Tube Workers
Tube maintenance workers are to stage a new wave of strikes in a row over pensions and benefits.
Staff who maintain and upgrade three Tube lines will walk out for 24 hours at 06:00 on Friday to kick start the industrial action.
The Rail Maritime and Transport union is demanding equality and a fair deal for Tube Lines' employees.
(H)
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30 January 2004
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
11 April 2006
Bird flu swan may have died 'outside UK'
A dead swan infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, which was found in Fife last week, may have died outside the UK. The Central Science Laboratory has identified the swan, which was discovered in the coastal village of Cellardyke, as a whooper swan, which migrate to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Russia in the winter.
Bird flu swan may have died 'outside UK'
A dead swan infected with the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, which was found in Fife last week, may have died outside the UK. The Central Science Laboratory has identified the swan, which was discovered in the coastal village of Cellardyke, as a whooper swan, which migrate to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Russia in the winter.
20 February 2006
UK swans tested for bird flu
Tests are being carried out on nine dead swans found across Britain at the weekend to determine if they were infected by bird flu. The swans were discovered in Bury St Edmunds, Winchester, Preston, Shrewsbury, Thirsk and Hertfordshire. A spokesperson for Defra said that the tests had so far been negative, but said that tests were still continuing.
UK swans tested for bird flu
Tests are being carried out on nine dead swans found across Britain at the weekend to determine if they were infected by bird flu. The swans were discovered in Bury St Edmunds, Winchester, Preston, Shrewsbury, Thirsk and Hertfordshire. A spokesperson for Defra said that the tests had so far been negative, but said that tests were still continuing.
24 October 2005
Bird flu found in quarantined parrot
Bird flu has been found in a parrot which died in quarantine in the UK. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza virus was present in a dead parrot from a quarantine facility in Essex. The discovery has prompted further calls to ban all live bird imports into the UK.
Bird flu found in quarantined parrot
Bird flu has been found in a parrot which died in quarantine in the UK. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza virus was present in a dead parrot from a quarantine facility in Essex. The discovery has prompted further calls to ban all live bird imports into the UK.
17 October 2005
British flu experts to travel to Asia
A team of British scientists are to visit Southeast Asia in order to investigate how to handle a potential outbreak of bird flu. Experts from the Medical Research Council will leave the UK on Sunday on a fact-finding mission to Vietnam, China and Hong Kong, the region where 60 people have died from the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.
British flu experts to travel to Asia
A team of British scientists are to visit Southeast Asia in order to investigate how to handle a potential outbreak of bird flu. Experts from the Medical Research Council will leave the UK on Sunday on a fact-finding mission to Vietnam, China and Hong Kong, the region where 60 people have died from the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.