RMT union would says it would consider a deal with Transport for London similar to that struck with Network Rail, which is offering up to £500 for staff working extra shifts A strike-free Olympics on the London Underground would cost around £500 per tube employee, the RMT trade union indicated on Tuesday, as hopes rose that a settlement could be reached to prevent disruption at next year’s games. Britain’s largest rail union has already secured an Olympics deal with Network Rail including payments of up to £500 for staff performing extra shifts. It includes an agreement , described by industry sources as a no-strike deal in all but name, that disputes during the games period will go to the ACAS conciliation service with no industrial action while discussions take place. Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said on Tuesday that the union would seriously consider a similar offer to its thousands of LU members. “We will be looking for the same if not better on London Underground,” he said. Peter Hendy, head of the mayor’s Transport for London authority, which runs the tube, told the Evening Standard that the Network Rail deal was “sensible”. The Network Rail deal also includes a no-sacking clause during the Olympics and Paralympics next summer. A spokesperson for Transport for London said: “We are continuing our negotiations with all our trade unions towards a multi-year pay and conditions deal that would cover the period of the Olympics.” Speaking at a London Assembly hearing on Tuesday, Crow said LU had agreed to set up an independent panel that would garner suggestions on improving industrial relations on the tube. “It is … some kind of panel where selected people on behalf of London Underground and trade unions can give recommendations on how best industrial relations can improve.” Any deal over the Olympics is likely to be wrapped up in an over-arching pay agreement with the RMT. The union has rejected a five-year pay deal including a 4% pay rise this year followed by increases of inflation + 0.25% for each of the following years. Last week LU raised its offer to a 4.5% pay rise this year. The RMT also wants the re-introduction of a consultative trade union committee at LU and the re-establishment of a transport wages board. Crow added that the RMT and other unions wanted a “dialogue” with the London mayor, Boris Johnson, while acknowledging that the mayor would not engage in negotiations. Crow said the RMT wanted to “have his ear every now and again”. Travel & leisure Trade unions Transport Bob Crow London Dan Milmo guardian.co.uk
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Libyan’s secret police compounds among sites hit in Nato strikes hours after ICC prosecutor calls for arrest, says UK military Hours after the international criminal court chief prosecutor called for the arrest of Muammar Gaddafi and his closet advisers for mass murder, Britain stepped up its strikes on what military officials described as secret police compounds in Tripoli. The submarine HMS Triumph fired Tomahawk cruise missiles and Tornado jets dropped bombs on a number of targets in Libya’s capital. Tomahawks’ electronic systems can distinguish between different buildings and are therefore suitable against urban targets, according to defence officials. Danish planes also attacked targets in Tripoli in a series of attacks British defence officials made clear were also designed to signal that Nato was determined to extend its range of targets in a military campaign which, after nearly two months, shows little sign of leading to the collapse of the Libyan regime. Major General John Lorimer, chief military spokesman at the Ministry of Defence, said the bombed targets “lay at the heart of the apparatus used by the regime to brutalise the civilian population”. He added: “One of the intelligence facilities which was hit is known to play a significant role in the collection of information by Colonel Gaddafi’s secret police, while the other was a headquarters for the external security organisation, commanded by Abdullah Senussi.” Senussi, the intelligence chief, along with the Libyan leader and his son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, was accused on Monday of crimes against humanity by the ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who called for their arrest for orchestrating a campaign of mass murder. British targets on Monday night included the executive protection force, which Lorimer described as “the bodyguard for the inner circle of the colonel’s regime … entrusted with other sensitive tasks”. He said vehicles at the training base have been identified as having been involved in the violent suppression of public demonstrations in Tripoli on 4 March. The latest Nato strikes came days after General Sir David Richards, Britain’s chief of defence staff, called on member countries to increase their range of targets to include the regime’s infrastructure, command and control centres, and communications networks. The defence secretary, Liam Fox, told the Commons on Monday that Nato bombing strikes would not end until Gaddafi stopped “slaughtering” his own people. There are 23 RAF aircraft and two Royal Navy warships committed to Operation Ellamy, the MoD’s codename for operations in Libya. Muammar Gaddafi Arab and Middle East unrest Libya Middle East Africa Nato Military International criminal court Human rights Richard Norton-Taylor guardian.co.uk
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Resplendent in a cloak of emerald green and a dress of St. Patrick’s blue, Queen Elizabeth II arrived Tuesday in Ireland to begin the first visit by a British monarch in a century to the rebellious Catholic south of the island. (May 17)
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After watching the show for so long, I get the psychology behind American Idol. Last season, when it came down to the final two, I correctly predicted Lee DeWyze. This year, I’m going to go out on a bigger limb and predict the winner with three contestants to go. This is tricky because all three remaining contestants — Haley Reinhart, Lauren Alaina, and Scotty McCreery — very much appeal to the main voting demographic (mostly tween girls and their mothers). Let’s start with the women. Haley and Lauren both play the role of ‘American Sweethearts’. They both had a great arc throughout the season, not peaking too early. They both check the right boxes that allow the voters to relate: they show humility and are good but not too good where their success appears out of reach to their fans. However, I predict Lauren will triumph over Haley. Lauren is just that much more of an ‘American Sweetheart” than Haley. She shows that much more vulnerability, is more obviously unsure of herself (which is very relatable among the voting demographic and plays more to the underdog aspect), looks more the part, and is closer in age to the main voting demographic. In fact, I think Haley was in trouble last week, and the judges knew it. However, I think the judges made a decision that they wanted a female to win this year so they biased things psychologically so that Haley would remain in the competition (thus increasing the chances that a woman would win this year). How did they bias things? I think the judges met before the performance on Thursday and came up with a plan. Steven Tyler would be the ‘nice guy’, during Haley’s first performance, and Jennifer and Randy would be the bad cops, being harsh but hinting that she could make a comeback during her second performance that evening. Note the importance of this hint. I’ve noticed that when the judges decide they really want someone to go, they will just flat out make a statement like “I don’t think you have what it takes to remain in this competition” but when they want someone to stay, they will instead say “This wasn’t your best performance, but we know you have more in you and can come back and knock it out of the part next time”. The former phrasing activates an “it’s over” mindset for the voters whereas the latter phrasing activates a completely different drive — the basic human desire to root for the underdog. What the judges did on Thursday was very clever. They decided to actively re-calibrate Haley’s arc, making people empathize with her, and want to root for her to make a comeback. Still, that psychological trick won’t be enough to carry Haley all the way. The finale will include Lauren and Scotty. Between the two, who will win? To make this prediction, let’s not forget the voting demographic. This isn’t just a talent competition. If it were, the final three would have been James Durbin, Pia Toscano, and Jacob Lusk. But that didn’t happen. The ones that didn’t make it through this season either peaked too early, were too consistent, were too good, too quirky, too different, or even just too old. This year’s James Durbin was extremely talented and put all his passion into every single performance, but like Adam Lambert who was eliminated in the finale two seasons ago, he came out too stong, too early. Also like Lambert, Durbin was too good, too ‘out there’, made too many voters uncomfortable, and did this all too consistently. Lady Gaga wasn’t kidding when she told Lauren: “When I was 16 years old, I was too weird to be on American Idol. They would have shut the door right in my face.” I believe it! That would have been unfortunate though had that happened, as there is lots to learn from people like Lady Gaga. No, this show has come down to a red state, middle-school popularity contest. I think I’m going to move on to X-Factor where hopefully there will be more of an appreciation of diversity! My prediction is that this year’s American Idol finale is going to be neck and neck, perhaps one of the closest calls in the history of American Idol (although they seem to say this every year). But in the final count, I predict Scotty McCreery will win American Idol. Scotty ticks the most boxes in this regard (many of the same boxes the winners of the last two seasons have ticked — shoot, what were their names again?): Scotty sings a popular genre (country music), Scotty is talented but non-threatening, Scotty is likeable, Scotty is dreamy, Scotty is religious, Scotty is down-to-earth, Scotty is normal (he doesn’t have — god forbid — a weird tick or Asperger’s like James Durbin had! Because remember, voters don’t like people who are different on this show), Scotty is confident, and Scotty has a nice smile. Oh, and the most important reason of them all? Scotty has the best name in the world.
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LOS ANGELES — Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple’s home before they announced their separation last week. Schwarzenegger and Shriver jointly announced May 9 that they were splitting up after 25 years of marriage. Yet, Shriver moved out of the family’s Brentwood mansion earlier in the year after Schwarzenegger acknowledged the child is his, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday. “After leaving the governor’s office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago,” Schwarzenegger told the Times in a statement that also was sent to The Associated Press early Tuesday. “I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry. “I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time,” the statement concluded. “While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not.” Schwarzenegger’s representatives did not comment further. A spokesman for the former first lady told the Times she had no comment. The Times did not publish the former staffer’s name nor that of her child but said the woman worked for the family for 20 years and retired in January. In an interview Monday before Schwarzenegger issued his statement, the former staffer said another man – her husband at the time – was the child’s father. When the Times later informed the woman of the governor’s statement, she declined to comment further. The child was born before Schwarzenegger began his seven-year stint in public office. Shriver stood by her husband during his 2003 gubernatorial campaign after the Los Angeles Times reported accusations that he had a history of groping women. Schwarzenegger later said he “behaved badly sometimes.” In his first public comments since the couple announced their breakup, Schwarzenegger said last week that he and Shriver “both love each other very much.” “We are very fortunate that we have four extraordinary children and we’re taking one day at a time,” he said at a Los Angeles event marking Israeli independence. Their children range in age from 13 to 21. Since his term as California governor ended in early January, Schwarzenegger, 63, has hopscotched around the world, his wife nowhere in sight. While the “Terminator” star appeared confident about the future since exiting politics, cutting movie deals and fashioning himself as a global spokesman for green energy, Shriver, known for her confidence, seemed unsettled. Shriver, 55, maintained her own identity when her husband entered politics, though she gave up her job at NBC. Their union was often tested in Sacramento, where the former action star contended with a rough seven years of legislative gridlock, a budget crisis and lingering questions about his fidelity.
Continue reading …Good morning, NBers. After a restful week off, Jodi is back with an all-new episode of NewsBusted! Quite a bit happened over the past week. Check below the break for Tuesday's epsiode, and make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel . Topics in today's show: — Osama's dead — Romney: my first presidential action would be Obamacare removal — Al Qaeda rapper dead? — Eight-year-old gets botox injections — Woman wakes from surger with British accent — Ashton Kutcher replacing Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men' Starring: Jodi Miller Director: Bruce Roundtower Executive Producer: Dialog New Media
Continue reading …A California mom who admitted giving her 8-year-old daughter botox injections to keep her young looking has lost custody of the girl. San Francisco authorities launched an investigation last week after mom Kerry Campbell discussed the injections in preparation for little girl beauty pageants on Good Morning America. “I just,…
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Coalition expected to adopt plans to cut UK emissions by 50% on 1990 levels by 2025 following row over carbon budget • Damian Carrington: Victory gained and disaster averted The government is expected to announce today that it has agreed the world’s most ambitious targets for emissions cuts into the 2020s, following a cabinet rift on the issue. The climate and energy secretary, Chris Huhne – currently at the centre of claims he persuaded someone else to take speeding penalty points on his behalf – will announce in parliament at 4.30pm that the UK is to adopt plans to cut emissions by 50% on 1990 levels by 2025. Fears that ministers would reject the Committee on Climate Change’s proposals for pollution limits in the fourth “carbon budget” have prompted an outcry from environmentalist groups . The carbon budget runs from 2023 to 2027, part of efforts to meet legally binding emissions cuts of 80% by 2050, and will put the UK on target for 60% cuts by 2030. A letter leaked last week appeared to expose a row between ministers. Business secretary, Vince Cable, apparently argued for less ambitious reductions in the 2020s because the targets could limit economic growth. After the letter emerged, a coalition of environmental bodies issued a warning to the prime minister David Cameron that he risked seriously undermining his pledge to lead the “greenest government ever” if he did not back the targets. The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, had also seized on the evidence of internal disagreement, writing to Cameron to warn that failing to agree the budget would send “a terrible signal” to business and the rest of the world. But over the weekend Cameron was reported to have stepped in to resolve the fraught battle within the cabinet , with a decision to support the targets. Before today’s expected announcement, Keith Allott, WWF-UK’s head of climate change, said: “No other country has set legally binding emission-reduction targets going into the 2020s, and so with this decision the UK is demonstrating genuine leadership on climate change. “The Climate Change Act remains a groundbreaking piece of legislation that, with support, will underpin the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.” But he said the Committee on Climate Change had made clear that the proposed fourth carbon budget was the “absolute minimum” necessary. He added: “The unwillingness of government to accept this recommendation suggests that some Whitehall departments are more committed to action than others.” Carbon emissions Climate change Liberal-Conservative coalition Green politics Chris Huhne guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Jon Stewart accepted Bill O’Reilly’s challenge and the pair debated rapper Common’s White House appearance on last night’s O’Reilly Factor. O’Reilly insisted that it was a mistake to have invited a rapper who “celebrates” a cop killer to a White House poetry night, while the Daily Show host maintained that…
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New food scandal as fields of watermelons are destroyed after farmers mistakenly apply growth accelerator The flying pips, shattered shells and fleshy shrapnel still haunt farmer Liu Mingsuo after an effort to chemically boost his fruit crop went spectacularly wrong. Field after field of watermelons exploded when he and other agricultural workers in eastern China mistakenly applied forchlorfenuron, a growth accelerator. The incident has become a focus of a domestic media drive to expose the lax farm practices, shortcuts and excessive use of fertiliser behind a rash of food safety scandals in China. It follows discoveries of the heavy metal cadmium in rice, toxic melamine in milk, arsenic in soy sauce, bleach in mushrooms and the detergent borax in pork (to make it look like beef). Compared to such cases of dangerous contamination, Liu’s transgression was minor, but it has gained notoriety after being picked up by the state broadcaster CCTV. The broadcaster blamed the bursting of the fruit on the legal chemical forchlorfenuron, which stimulates cell separation but often leaves the melons misshapen and turns the seeds white. The report said the farmers sprayed the fruit too late in the season and during wet conditions, which caused the melons to explode like “landmines”. After losing three hectares (eight acres), Liu told reporters he was unable to sleep because he could not shake the image of the fruit bursting. “On 7 May, I came out and counted 80 (bursting watermelons) but by the afternoon it was 100,” he said. “Two days later I didn’t bother to count any more.” About 20 farmers and 45 hectares around Danyang were affected. The fruit could not be sold but was instead fed to fish and pigs. Agricultural experts say forchlorfenuron has been widely used in China since the 1980s. Farmers say it can bring the harvest forward by two weeks and increase the size and price of the fruit by more than 20%. Environment groups said the overuse of agricultural chemicals was a growing problem that went beyond growth stimulants. Pan Jing of Greenpeace said farmers depended on fertiliser because many double as migrant workers, which means they have less time for their crops. This dependency is promoted by state subsidies that keep fertilisers cheap. “The government is aware of the environmental problems caused by chemical fertiliser, but they are also concerned about food output.” Many farmers now grow their own food separately from the chemically-raised crops they sell at the market. “I feel there is nothing safe I can eat now because people are in too much of a hurry to make money,” said Huang Zhanliang, a farmer in Hebei. Concerns about food safety have lingered despite government promises to deal with the problem after six babies died and thousands of others became ill as a result of melamine-tainted milk in 2008 . The authorities appear to have mixed feelings about the role of the media and public opinion in naming and shaming culprits. In the wake of the melamine scandal, police jailed one of the parents, Zhao Lianhai , who had set up a website to expose the problem and appeal for justice. Recently, however, officials have encouraged coverage of food safety issues. Zhang Yong, the head of a new cabinet-level food safety commission, praised the media’s “important watchdog role”. In the past week, the People’s Daily website has run stories of human birth control chemicals being used on cucumber plants in Xian, China Daily has reported Sichuan peppers releasing red dye when soaked in water and the Sina news portal revealed that barite powder had been injected into chickens in Guizhou to increase their weight. China Food Farming Jonathan Watts guardian.co.uk
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