General News

MoD: Ten of the Royal Navy's P2000 patrol vessels took to the seas on Friday, 15 April, for some of the largest squadron exercises & manoeuvres in 25 years. The P2000 class of ships are unique to the Royal Navy in that they are manned by university students, but commanded by a Royal Navy officer (usually a lieutenant).
 
Each of the 14 ships in the Squadron is assigned to a university that has a University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) where undergraduates can become part of the ship's company for their time at university.  As patrol vessels, the P2000s sail around the UK & European waters protecting the integrity of UK waters, while allowing the student crews to develop navigation, leadership & motivation skills and command attributes.
Press release & links
 
MoD: The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has announced that the National Security Council has decided to expand the diplomatic team already in Benghazi, led by Christopher Prentice, to include an additional military liaison advisory team.
 
In particular, they will advise the National Transitional Council (NTC) on how to improve their military organisational structures, communications & logistics, including how best to distribute humanitarian aid and deliver medical assistance.  In doing so, the UK will coordinate closely with other international partners also assisting the NTC.
Press release & links
 
FSAMorrisons has recalled 3 of its products because they contain allergens not mentioned on the product packaging.  The allergens are milk, soya, fish & gluten.  The Food Standards Agency has issued 3 Allergy Alerts advising anyone with an allergy to or intolerance of an allergen to not eat the product containing that allergen because it might be a possible health risk to them.
Press release & Links
 
NASupport & leadership for the UK's archive sector will transfer to The National Archives from April 2012 following the closure of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has announced, following the Government's review of arm's length bodies.
Press release & links
 
Newswire – RAC: The RAC has launched an online initiative which allows Britain’s drivers to share their journeys and chart their movements across the UK. The new site – www.whatsmyjourney.co.uk – will provide a substantial insight into the nation’s journey by allowing people to upload their routes, adding in additional details such as stops that were made along the way and what the purpose of the trip is (e.g. a lazy Sunday drive, family trip to Scotland etc.).  
 
They will be able to chart the people they meet along the way and even incorporate photos from their journey. The uploaded journeys will then be collated & analysed for the next stage of the project which will be announced later in the year.
Press release & links
 
MoD: Feeding an average 4,000 hungry mouths 5 meals a day, every day, in the sweltering heat of the Helmand desert is a mammoth task, but the Forces' combat chefs consistently rise to the challenge. The dining facility at Camp Bastion 1 is capable of catering for up to 4,900 personnel a day.  On a normal day, the number of diners is a staggering 3,700; that's 130,000 individual meals, on average, served up each week and all for less than a budget of £4 for every Service person every day.
 
The workforce consists of 50 UK military & Sri Lankan civilian staff.  The military personnel are from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and from 7 Brigade, based in Germany.  They work 7 days a week, roughly equating to one chef for every 123 soldiers. The chefs work 12 hours on - 12 hours off and are involved in all aspects of catering - preparing, serving, & clearing up after every meal. 
Press release & links
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