BAA sees figures rise by nearly a tenth in May against the same period in 2010, with record months for Heathrow and Edinburgh The royal wedding contributed to a surge in passengers at major UK airports last month, it was revealed today. Airport operator BAA handled 9.34 million people at its six UK airports in May 2011 – a 9.2% increase on the May 2010 figure, which was affected by the first Icelandic ash-cloud crisis and industrial action. Heathrow had its best ever May last month, handling more than 5.8 million passengers – 11.6% more than in May 2010. Last month was also a record May for Edinburgh Airport, where passenger numbers rose 13.7% to almost 826,000. Stansted handled 0.7% more passengers last month, but numbers at Southampton Airport fell 1.1%. Aberdeen Airport numbers increased 11.8% in May 2011, while Glasgow was up 7.0%. BAA said the late Easter and the royal wedding at the end of April had led to an increase in passengers at the beginning of May this year, while the second Iceland ash-cloud problem had had only a marginal effect. The company added that the “rolling year” figure, for the 12 months ending May 2011, showed that Heathrow passenger numbers had passed the 68 million mark for the first time. BAA’s six airports handled almost 41.32 million passengers in the first five months of this year – an 8.6% rise on the January-May 2010 figure. BAA’s chief executive, Colin Matthews, said: “Demand is particularly strong on the long-haul routes that connect UK businesses to fast-growing economies around the world.” BAA Travel & leisure Heathrow Royal wedding guardian.co.uk
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User numbers fall in US, UK, Canada, Norway and Russia – although total is still climbing towards 700 million The number of people using Facebook during May fell in the US, UK, Canada, Norway and Russia, according to new data. That means that the site’s growth has slowed for the second month in a row, even as it approaches 700 million users worldwide. In the US the site lost about 6 million users, from 155.2 million at the start of May to 149.4 million at its end, according to data gathered from Facebook’s advertising tool by the site Inside Facebook . Canada fell by 1.52 million to 16.6 million and the UK, Norway and Russia all saw falls of more than 100,000 users, the site said. The slowing growth in user numbers may indicate that Facebook has hit the limits of expansion in the countries where it was first successful – and perhaps even that some early adopters from those countries have stopped using it. According to the data gathered via the Facebook advertising tool, the world’s largest social media site added another 11.8 million users in May, though even that was a slowing compared with April, when it added 13.9 million. Both those numbers were slower, though, compared with the 20 million who have typically been added each month over the past year to take the site to 687 million “monthly active” users – who log in at least once per month. The drops in the US, Canada, UK and elsewhere held its growth back from the typical growth figure. Without new sources of growth, that could limit the site’s total audience. Eric Eldon of Inside Facebook noted that “by the time Facebook reaches around 50% of the total population in a given country (plus or minus, depending on internet access rates in that country), growth generally slows to a halt … So far, Facebook has been able to make up stalls and losses with big gains in heavily-populated developing countries like Mexico, Brazil, India and Indonesia.” He notes that if it is allowed into China, that growth could take off again towards 1 billion users – although he adds that getting inside the country “could both give it access to hundreds of millions of users and compromise its reputation in the US and many other countries around the world”. China’s repressive approach to internet use and communication, whereby users inside the country are banned from accessing a wide range of information hosted outside the country with which the Chinese regime disagrees, has led to sites such as Facebook and Twitter being banned from direct access to Chinese net users, who outnumber the total US connected population. Despite the month-on-month fall, the US still saw a 23% overall growth in users between May 2010 and May 2011 to 155.2 million users, while the UK grew by 10% to 29.9 million in the same period. The US is the largest country in terms of users overall, with Indonesia second with 36.4m, followed by the UK and Turkey. The fastest-growing countries among the top 25 largest users areas during the year were Brazil and Russia, each up almost fourfold to 17.1 million and 4.6 million users respectively. A number of other countries nearly doubled their users: India (up 160% to 24.9 million), Thailand (up 143% to 9.1 million users), Egypt (up 108% to 7.1 million), Poland (up 130% to 6.1 million) and Peru (up 126% to 5.5 million). Facebook Internet Social networking Social media Digital media Charles Arthur guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Juror allegedly contacted a defendant online during a multi million-pound drugs trial Contempt proceedings will take place this week against a juror who allegedly contacted a defendant through Facebook during a multi million-pound drugs trial, causing it to collapse, it emerged on Sunday night. Attorney General Dominic Grieve will open the proceedings on Tuesday in the High Court in London, his office confirmed. Monday’s edition of The Times said the case was against Joanne Fraill and an acquitted defendant, Jamie Sewart. The case, to be heard by Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, coincides with an appeal by another defendant in the trial who is challenging his conviction because of the alleged conversation, the newspaper reported. The aborted trial involving Ms Fraill, 40, of Blackley, Manchester, and Ms Sewart, 34, of Bolton, took place in Manchester last year and involved multiple charges and defendants. It was one of a series of four trials estimated to have cost £6 million and had run for 10 weeks. One of the defendants, convicted drug dealer Gary Knox, is appealing against his conviction on the basis of alleged jury misconduct, with the appeal also to be heard by Lord Judge, the newspaper said. Ms Sewart also faces contempt proceedings because she is alleged to have asked Ms Fraill for details of the jury’s deliberations in relation to a charge they were still considering, it added. Knox, 35, was jailed for six years for conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, the newspaper said. The court was told that he bought sensitive information on drug dealers from police in return for a £20,000 BMW and Premier League match tickets. A police officer, Phil Berry, 44, who received the gifts and admitted the same charge, was jailed for four years, the newspaper added. Crime Facebook Internet Social networking guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Juror allegedly contacted a defendant online during a multi million-pound drugs trial Contempt proceedings will take place this week against a juror who allegedly contacted a defendant through Facebook during a multi million-pound drugs trial, causing it to collapse, it emerged on Sunday night. Attorney General Dominic Grieve will open the proceedings on Tuesday in the High Court in London, his office confirmed. Monday’s edition of The Times said the case was against Joanne Fraill and an acquitted defendant, Jamie Sewart. The case, to be heard by Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, coincides with an appeal by another defendant in the trial who is challenging his conviction because of the alleged conversation, the newspaper reported. The aborted trial involving Ms Fraill, 40, of Blackley, Manchester, and Ms Sewart, 34, of Bolton, took place in Manchester last year and involved multiple charges and defendants. It was one of a series of four trials estimated to have cost £6 million and had run for 10 weeks. One of the defendants, convicted drug dealer Gary Knox, is appealing against his conviction on the basis of alleged jury misconduct, with the appeal also to be heard by Lord Judge, the newspaper said. Ms Sewart also faces contempt proceedings because she is alleged to have asked Ms Fraill for details of the jury’s deliberations in relation to a charge they were still considering, it added. Knox, 35, was jailed for six years for conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, the newspaper said. The court was told that he bought sensitive information on drug dealers from police in return for a £20,000 BMW and Premier League match tickets. A police officer, Phil Berry, 44, who received the gifts and admitted the same charge, was jailed for four years, the newspaper added. Crime Facebook Internet Social networking guardian.co.uk
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War Horse takes best play prize and Mark Rylance named best actor at Broadway ceremony The Broadway production of the British play War Horse has won the top prize at the Tony Awards in New York. The best play award was one of five Tonys for the acclaimed puppet-based staging of the popular first world war story, adapted for stage by Nick Stafford. Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris were awarded the best director prize. Briton Mark Rylance won the best acting award for a play for his performance as Johnny “Rooster” Byron in Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem following up his success three years ago when he won for Boeing-Boeing, Rylance quoted a poem by US poet Louis Jenkins. “Unlike flying or astral projection, walking through walls is a totally earth-related craft, but a lot more interesting than pot-making or driftwood lamps,” he said in his acceptance speech. When asked later why he had recited the poem, Rylance said, “I don’t know. I was getting a little bored.” The Book of Mormon was the most fèted production at the gilttering Broadway gathering. A spoof musical from the creators of South Park, about two traveling Mormon missionaries, The Book of Mormon won the Tony for best musical and eight other prizes. The top Tonys Best musical: The Book of Mormon Best original score, music and lyrics: The Book of Mormon Best play: War Horse (Nick Stafford) Best revival of a musical: Anything Goes Best revival of a play: The Normal Heart Best actress in a musical: Sutton Foster (Anything Goes) Best actor in a musical: Norbert Leo Butz (Catch Me If You Can) Best actress in a play: Frances McDormand (Good People) Best actor in a play: Mark Rylance (Jerusalem) Best featured actress in a musical: Nikki M Jones (The Book of Mormon) Best featured actor in a musical: John Laroquette (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying) Best featured actor in a play: John Benjamin Hickey (The Normal Heart) Best featured actress in a play: Ellen Barkin (The Normal Heart) Best direction of a musical: Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker (The Book of Mormon) Best direction of a play: Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris (War Horse) Tony awards Theatre Toby Manhire guardian.co.uk
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Extensive damage has been reported after two major aftershocks in the New Zealand city within two hours Reports of building collapses and live rescues were emerging on Monday afternoon after Christchurch was hit by two large aftershock, less than four months after the New Zealand city was devastated by a massive earthquake that killed 181 people. There were no initial reports of fatalities from the latest quakes. The city’s mayor, Bob Parker, said he had received unconfirmed reports of injuries within the central city cordon, where major building works have been under way since the quake of February 22, which destroyed much of the central business district and killed people. Workers had been evacuated from the “red zone” following the first aftershock, he said, avoiding further casualties. The first of the aftershocks measured 5.5 magnitude and struck at 1pm New Zealand time, at a depth of 11km, 10km to the east of the city. The second, larger shake, was at 2.20pm, measured 6.0, and was centred 10km southeast of the city at a depth of 9km. A series of smaller shakes were also felt over a turbulent two-hour period. Graduate student James Macbeth Dann was cycling on Barbados Street, the border of the “red zone” when the second of the two major quakes began. “At first I thought my tire had blown, and then I looked up and the street lights were rocking backwards and forwards,” he said. The gravity of the quake was immediately clear, he said. “The road was moving, the buildings were moving.” The shakes were felt as far afield as Dunedin in the south and Wellington at the foot of the North Island. Building across the city were evacuated, including the city’s airport. More than 50,000 homes lost electricity. The city’s signature ChristChurch cathedral was reported to have suffered fresh damage. The central-city Hotel Grand Chancellor, which slumped dramatically in the February quake, had tipped further towards the ground, said witnesses. Fresh liquefaction emerged from the ground, with flooding reported in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs. Residents described damage to homes, sewage leaks, and gridlock on the roads. The prime minister, John Key, said: “It is another blow to Christchurch residents, who have already endured so much. However, today’s events in no way weaken the government’s long-term commitment to rebuilding Christchurch and surrounding areas.” He added: “The people of Christchurch should know that all New Zealanders are thinking of them and will continue to support and stand by them at this difficult time.” The region has been hit by dozens of earthquakes since a magnitude 7.1 shake in September last year, which caused widespread damage but no fatalities. New Zealand Natural disasters and extreme weather Toby Manhire guardian.co.uk
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Extensive damage has been reported after two major aftershocks in the New Zealand city within two hours Reports of building collapses and live rescues were emerging on Monday afternoon after Christchurch was hit by two large aftershock, less than four months after the New Zealand city was devastated by a massive earthquake that killed 181 people. There were no initial reports of fatalities from the latest quakes. The city’s mayor, Bob Parker, said he had received unconfirmed reports of injuries within the central city cordon, where major building works have been under way since the quake of February 22, which destroyed much of the central business district and killed people. Workers had been evacuated from the “red zone” following the first aftershock, he said, avoiding further casualties. The first of the aftershocks measured 5.5 magnitude and struck at 1pm New Zealand time, at a depth of 11km, 10km to the east of the city. The second, larger shake, was at 2.20pm, measured 6.0, and was centred 10km southeast of the city at a depth of 9km. A series of smaller shakes were also felt over a turbulent two-hour period. Graduate student James Macbeth Dann was cycling on Barbados Street, the border of the “red zone” when the second of the two major quakes began. “At first I thought my tire had blown, and then I looked up and the street lights were rocking backwards and forwards,” he said. The gravity of the quake was immediately clear, he said. “The road was moving, the buildings were moving.” The shakes were felt as far afield as Dunedin in the south and Wellington at the foot of the North Island. Building across the city were evacuated, including the city’s airport. More than 50,000 homes lost electricity. The city’s signature ChristChurch cathedral was reported to have suffered fresh damage. The central-city Hotel Grand Chancellor, which slumped dramatically in the February quake, had tipped further towards the ground, said witnesses. Fresh liquefaction emerged from the ground, with flooding reported in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs. Residents described damage to homes, sewage leaks, and gridlock on the roads. The prime minister, John Key, said: “It is another blow to Christchurch residents, who have already endured so much. However, today’s events in no way weaken the government’s long-term commitment to rebuilding Christchurch and surrounding areas.” He added: “The people of Christchurch should know that all New Zealanders are thinking of them and will continue to support and stand by them at this difficult time.” The region has been hit by dozens of earthquakes since a magnitude 7.1 shake in September last year, which caused widespread damage but no fatalities. New Zealand Natural disasters and extreme weather Toby Manhire guardian.co.uk
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Extensive damage has been reported after two major aftershocks in the New Zealand city within two hours Reports of building collapses and live rescues were emerging on Monday afternoon after Christchurch was hit by two large aftershock, less than four months after the New Zealand city was devastated by a massive earthquake that killed 181 people. There were no initial reports of fatalities from the latest quakes. The city’s mayor, Bob Parker, said he had received unconfirmed reports of injuries within the central city cordon, where major building works have been under way since the quake of February 22, which destroyed much of the central business district and killed people. Workers had been evacuated from the “red zone” following the first aftershock, he said, avoiding further casualties. The first of the aftershocks measured 5.5 magnitude and struck at 1pm New Zealand time, at a depth of 11km, 10km to the east of the city. The second, larger shake, was at 2.20pm, measured 6.0, and was centred 10km southeast of the city at a depth of 9km. A series of smaller shakes were also felt over a turbulent two-hour period. Graduate student James Macbeth Dann was cycling on Barbados Street, the border of the “red zone” when the second of the two major quakes began. “At first I thought my tire had blown, and then I looked up and the street lights were rocking backwards and forwards,” he said. The gravity of the quake was immediately clear, he said. “The road was moving, the buildings were moving.” The shakes were felt as far afield as Dunedin in the south and Wellington at the foot of the North Island. Building across the city were evacuated, including the city’s airport. More than 50,000 homes lost electricity. The city’s signature ChristChurch cathedral was reported to have suffered fresh damage. The central-city Hotel Grand Chancellor, which slumped dramatically in the February quake, had tipped further towards the ground, said witnesses. Fresh liquefaction emerged from the ground, with flooding reported in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs. Residents described damage to homes, sewage leaks, and gridlock on the roads. The prime minister, John Key, said: “It is another blow to Christchurch residents, who have already endured so much. However, today’s events in no way weaken the government’s long-term commitment to rebuilding Christchurch and surrounding areas.” He added: “The people of Christchurch should know that all New Zealanders are thinking of them and will continue to support and stand by them at this difficult time.” The region has been hit by dozens of earthquakes since a magnitude 7.1 shake in September last year, which caused widespread damage but no fatalities. New Zealand Natural disasters and extreme weather Toby Manhire guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Title: Groovin’ (On A Sunday Afternoon) Artist: The Rascals Yup.
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Microsoft founder says PM’s decision to embrace UN overseas aid target is ‘absolutely fantastic’ Bill Gates, the philanthropist and founder of Microsoft, on Sunday praised David Cameron for his “absolutely fantastic” decision to embrace the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNI (gross national income) on overseas aid by 2013. “The UK government is taking a lead,” Gates said of Britain’s role in convening the London conference of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi). Speaking on a conference call organised by the charity Save the Children, he said that Britain’s lead contrasted with other EU countries. “They have been calling round and encouraging others to give. They’ve got a commitment to increasing aid which is absolutely fantastic.” Gates, who is co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which launched the Decade of Vaccines campaign, said that Britain, Norway, Sweden and Australia are expected to make generous commitments at the conference. But he was less sure about some EU countries. “Germany and France we are not sure how strong they will come in. A group of countries have been thinking how generous can they be for this cause.” Cameron will announce at the conference on Monday that Britain is to step up its commitment to vaccinate 80 million children and save 1.4m lives by 2015. Britain will pledge to vaccinate one child every two seconds for five years and to save one child’s life every two minutes. Britain will also pledge to vaccinate more children against preventable diseases than the population of England. The prime minister defended his decision to increase the aid budget in an article in the Observer amid unease among Tory MPs. “I don’t believe it would be right to ignore the difference we can make, turn inwards solely to our own problems and effectively balance our books while breaking our promises to the world’s poorest,” he wrote. Justin Forsyth, the chief executive of Save the Children, said other countries need to follow Britain’s lead on funding vaccinations. Save the Children is campaigning for world leaders to agree to fund in full vaccines for the world’s poorest children, helping to save 4 million lives. Speaking on the same conference call, Forsyth said: “We need, as Bill said, a few governments other than the UK and Norway to step up to the mark. We are looking for a little bit more from France and Germany. We are looking for some leadership from the EU, from the European Commission, to pledge a considerable amount of money. We are not quite sure yet what the US is going to pledge. So there is still a little bit of a way to go. But it does look like it is lining up – all this pressure and build up.” Forsyth, who worked as Gordon Brown’s director of strategic communications until the election, praised Cameron. “These meetings don’t just happen, it is all the build up to them. It is, firstly, David Cameron deciding to host it with Andrew Mitchell, the secretary of state for international development. That leadership really provides a crunch moment. And Bill has been going round the world urging leaders and governments endlessly to cough up the money and we have been doing our bit as NGOs.” Aid Bill Gates Foreign policy David Cameron Nicholas Watt guardian.co.uk
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