United Kingdom News Roundup
Long-Haul Air Traffic Back To Pre-9/11
THE number of passengers on long-haul flights to and from the United Kingdom has
returned to the level that existed before the September 11 hijacks nearly three
years ago, according to recent figures. UK airports operator BAA said
long-distance traffic rose by 13 per cent last month compared with July 2003.
Almost 3.9 million passengers travelling outside Europe passed through the
group’s seven airports that include Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick in London.
All Muslims To Get Anti-Terror Guide
THE Muslim Council of Britain is to send a guide to every Muslim household in
the United Kingdom advising them how to react in the event of a terrorist
attack. Produced in conjunction with the Association of Police Officers, it is
called: Know Your Rights And Responsibilities. It also implores Muslims to
report any suspected terrorist activity within their community.
Ebookers Sees Encouraging Signs
ONLINE travel firm Ebookers has seen its shares soar after cutting its quarterly
losses to 6.4 million pounds from 6.9 million pounds in the same period in 2003.
The company said gross sales were up 15 per cent to 136 million pounds during
the three months to the end of June. “These are encouraging results in our
seasonally weaker quarter,” said Michael Healy, the company finance officer. The
firm has expanded rapidly in recent years, helped by a policy of buying up other
travel firms and moving sales on to the Internet.
9/11 Children Get A Warm Scottish Welcome
A UK CITY is playing host to people who lost relatives in the 11 September
attacks in the United States. The “Glasgow the Caring City” charity in Scotland
has organised a display of police horses and dogs for more than 25 youngsters
aged from 7 to 20. Fundraisers include several Strathclyde officers with links
to the New York Police Department. After the display, the youngsters will go to
Cashell Farm on Loch Lomond where they will plant trees in memory of their loved
ones, as a member of the police band plays the pipes. As the third anniversary
of the 2001 attacks approaches, the Reverend Neil Galbraith, of Glasgow the
Caring City, said: “The charity is delighted that the police have been able to
host this event. It is not only an enjoyable event for the children but it also
shows the special relationship the charity has with Strathclyde Police.” The
youngsters, during their week-long trip, will also visit a lifeboat in Largs,
the Falkirk Wheel, Edinburgh Castle as well as Ibrox and Celtic Park football
stadiums.
“Virtual” Repairs For The Cutty Sark
COMPUTER models are to be created to help save a historic Victorian trading ship
that is in danger of rotting away. The team behind a 10 million pounds plan to
restore the tea-clipper Cutty Sark, berthed in dry dock in Greenwich, London,
fear it may not survive the process. They say removing its wooden timbers could
make the iron hull fall in. Now, Greenwich University is to make a computer
model of all aspects of the restoration to test options “virtually” before it is
started. Creating the model will take two years and is being backed by a 135,000
pounds grant from the Department of Trade & Industry.
Telecoms Spend On The Rise
CONSUMERS in 2003 spent 1.3 billion pounds more on phone, mobile and Internet
services than the previous year, according to the communications regulator Ofcom.
Nearly nine out of ten United Kingdom households now own one mobile phone at
least, it found. More than 50 per cent of households can now receive digital
television services and, for the first time, TV companies make more money from
selling subscriptions to sports, film and other channels than they do from
advertising.
Peter Pan To Fly Once More
THE Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children - which has earned millions
of pounds in royalties from the copyright of the novel Peter Pan by J M Barrie -
is to commission a sequel. The announcement was made recently in a nationwide
competition to find an author worthy of the task. The London hospital is heavily
reliant on private funds and the earnings made from the new book will be shared
between the hospital and the author.
Asda Outstrips Marks & Spencer
SUPERMARKET chain Asda has overtaken Marks & Spencer as the biggest seller of
clothing in the United Kingdom when measured by the number of items sold –
thanks in large to its George label. George has annual sales of more than one
billion pounds.
What’s That Burning Smell?
TOP British chef Gordon Ramsay has banned smoking in all seven of his London
restaurants. A sea-change in public opinion means that smokers will be banned
from most restaurants in the United Kingdom by the end of the year, according to
the hospitality trade, with four out of five expected to be smoke-free within
two years. Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen became non-smoking last month,
while Terence Conran is considering “very carefully” whether to follow suit.
Famous Five Top The Memory Poll
ENID Blyton’s Famous Five series has come top of a poll of books that adults
most enjoyed as children. The adventures of Julian, George, Anne, Dick and Timmy
the dog beat classics such as Treasure Island, and the Lion, The Witch And the
Wardrobe in the survey by Cartoon Network. More than 1,000 people aged between
25 and 54 were asked to name their favourite children’s book. The Famous Five
stories continue to sell two million copies a year.
Army Gets First Muslim Cleric
THE Ministry of Defence has appointed its first Islamic chaplain for the United
Kingdom’s armed forces in an effort to recruit more UK Muslims. The MoD also
hopes that the full-time salaried imam will also help persuade more than 300
Muslims serving in the army, navy and air force to stay.
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