General News

WWF: South Korea has announced plans to kill endangered whales under a loophole in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) treaty that allows for so-called ‘scientific whaling’.  The proposal was met with fierce opposition from numerous IWC member governments that called the hunt unnecessary given the availability of modern non-lethal research techniques.
 
Many governments countered South Korea’s claims that ‘lethal whaling is needed to determine how to manage stocks’.  Australia went so far as to invite South Korean scientists for a visit to discuss how non-lethal techniques can help fill data gaps. 
Press release & links
 
STFCMeteosat Second Generation 3 (MSG 3), which has on board, the 200th RAL Space instrument to be launched, was successfully sent on its way recently from Korou in French Guiana.   The MSG 3 will help weather forecasters predict thunderstorms & fog - providing data for use by meteorologists & climate scientists worldwide.
Press release & links
 
VSO: As South Sudan celebrated its first year of independence on 9 July 2012 and looked ahead to its future, VSO called for women’s rights & services for women to be prioritised. VSO volunteers, many from the UK, are supporting grassroots women’s groups who work with survivors of violence, war widows, young girls and displaced South Sudanese returnees.
Press release & links
 
EH: This summer, visitors will be able to explore Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s private beach at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight for the first time.  On Friday 27 July 2012, the beach will be opening to the public and visitors will be able to lounge in deckchairs, enjoying the same vistas that the royal couple so admired – the view was said to remind Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples.
Press release & links
 
TfLLondon Underground's (LU) Farringdon station is now the 66th Tube station to become step-free from street to platform level.
Press release & links
 
CEOP: 4 new organisations have joined the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), committing to the ongoing fight against technology facilitated crimes against children. Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, World Vision Australia, Research in Motion and The Code last month joined the VGT as private sector partners.
Press release & links ~ VGT
 
DfTDriving tests could soon be available from branches of Halfords. As well as using traditional driving test centres, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is looking at working with public & private sector partners to provide driving test premises in selected areas that don’t already have a local test centre.
 
The DSA began exploring a new approach to test delivery last year, offering tests from premises such as local authority buildings & leisure centres.  In March 2012 the Agency announced plans to extend the scheme to 21 more locations, and invited proposals from businesses & other organisations. Partners will allow the use of their premises at no cost to DSA and tests will continue to be conducted by DSA examiners.
Press release & links
 
EHEnglish Heritage has announced that work to realise the long-held vision to ‘return Stonehenge to a more tranquil setting & improve its visitor facilities’ has officially started. Successful fundraising also means that virtually all of the total project cost has now been secured with only £500,000 left to raise.
Press release & links ~ DCMS: Stonehenge visitor centre to rise again
 
DCMS: Hundreds of thousands of homes will receive help to prevent 4G services interfering with television signals. Most TV viewers will be able to solve any problems by fitting a filter, which will be provided free-of-charge by the assistance scheme.  
 
But for some homes, an engineer will need to fit the filter to a rooftop aerial.  Mr Vaizey recently confirmed that vouchers will be provided to eligible households to pay for the installation. In a very limited number of cases where filters cannot improve the TV service, assistance would be provided to switch to free-to-view satellite or to cable TV.   Extra support will also be offered to vulnerable consumers.
Press release & links
 
FSASainsbury's is recalling its own-brand Taste the Difference Pumpkin Quadrotti pasta, with a 'use by' date of 17 July 2012, because of a packaging error. The pasta is filled with prawns instead of pumpkin, which isn't listed in the allergy information box.  If you're allergic to or intolerant of shellfish, don't eat this product.  The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Press release & links
 
FSAMoet Hennessy UK Ltd (Maison Krug) is withdrawing certain batches of its Krug Champagne. T he products contain sulphites, which aren’t mentioned on the label.  If you’re allergic to or intolerant of sulphites, don’t drink these products.  The Food Standards Agency has issued an Allergy Alert.
Press release & links
 
MoD: The Defence Secretary has unveiled the first of a new fleet of Wildcat helicopters, and confirmed a £250m contract to support them.
Press release & links
 
HO: Last week a plaque was dedicated to the memory of Holocaust hero Frank Foley at the historic Hoop Lane Cemetery in North West London. He was a British diplomat who worked in the British embassy in Berlin in the 1930s.  He did not have diplomatic immunity and was liable to arrest, but he still went into concentration camps to get Jews out, hid them in his home and helped them get forged passports.  It is estimated that Foley saved the lives of 10,000 people.  He died in 1958, aged 73.
Press release & links
 
MoD: An Army-led outreach course, using military training, is boosting young people's skills and steering them away from trouble. The Youth Advantage Outreach (YAO) courses are aimed at young people in the 14-18 years age group who are minor offenders or on the periphery of offending.
Press release & links
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