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General News
Cabinet Office: Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, has announced the appointment of Sir Bert Massie as the new Commissioner for the Compact. In his role, Sir Bert Massie will push for greater public sector compliance with the Compact, the agreement defining Government's responsibilities in dealing with charities and voluntary groups.
Phil Hope has also pledged an increased investment to the Commission for the Compact of £6m over the next three years, ensuring it has all the necessary resources to get the job done. And Compact Voice, which represents sector interests, will receive nearly £1m in funding, also up from the previous year.
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has also agreed an implementation plan setting the key milestones on the path to partnership. Developed in coordination with Compact Voice and the Commission, the plan lays out what is expected from each of the three partners in order to improve the impact and support of the Compact.
Press release ~ Office of the Third Sector ~ OTS - Compact ~ Join the National Compact Voice Network ~ Compact Implementation Plan ~ Compact website ~ NCVO - Compact Advocacy
HA: Motorists on a section of the M42 are now allowed to drive on the hard shoulder at up to 60mph, as from last week, following a detailed safety study. The innovative M42 'active traffic management' scheme - the model for new proposals for similar schemes across England's motorways - has previously operated at a maximum of 50mph.
The increased maximum speed limit will apply to the two & a half mile southbound stretch of the M42 motorway between junctions 4 and 3A, with the electronic overhead signs clearly displaying the speed limit in force.
Press release ~ Active Traffic Management ~ DfT - Advanced motorway signalling and traffic management feasibility study
STFC: A UK/US team of astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has made the first detection ever of an organic molecule in a planet orbiting another star. This breakthrough is an important step in eventually identifying signs of life on a planet outside our Solar System.
The scientists found the tell-tale signature of the molecule methane in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet called HD 189733b, which is about the size of Jupiter and orbits a star 63 light years away. Under the right circumstances methane can play a key role in prebiotic chemistry – the chemical reactions considered necessary to form life as we know it. Although methane has been detected on most of the planets in our Solar System, this is the first time any organic molecule has been detected on a world orbiting another star.
This discovery proves that Hubble and upcoming space missions, such as the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, can detect organic molecules on planets around other stars by using spectroscopy, which splits light into its components to reveal the ‘fingerprints’ of various chemicals.
ScotGov: First Minister Alex Salmond has been enjoying a week-long commitment to only 'eat Scottish' food. The pledge to 'eat Scottish' was made in support of Stephen Jardine's 'Eating for Scotland' campaign for STV. The Rowett Research Institute and professional cook Wendy Barrie provided advice to the First Minister on his meals to ensure they were nutritionally balanced.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead recently announced a new £60m scheme to help develop Scottish food.
Press release ~ First Minister's Scottish menu ~ National Discussion on Food ~ ScotGov - Food ~ Food Standards Agency - Scotland ~ Research at the Rowett ~ What’s on Your Plate? ~ stv television for Scotland
STFC: The Science and Technology Facilities Council has offered its usual full quota of studentships and fellowships for the academic years starting in October 2008, continuing its investment in research careers. A significant proportion of its prestigious Advanced Fellowships applicants are from overseas, demonstrating that the UK and STFC remains competitive internationally in the research arena.
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