THE SUNDAY SECTION

As I said in yesterdays post “what recession” Miliband seeks private jet tender the government is seeking to rent a private jet for the use of Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

A tender for the hire of a charter aircraft was issued in February and will last two years, it is understood.

The ministerial code states that scheduled flights should be used unless deemed impractical.

The Foreign Office said its decision was aimed at securing value for money following changes in the availability of RAF flights for ministers.

A spokesman said: "Unlike a lot of other countries we don't have a Foreign Office plane.

"We always try to use commercial airlines but sometimes that is not practical. Until now we have been able to use the RAF in those circumstances.

"Changes in the RAF mean we need the ability to charter aircraft sometimes at short notice - value for money is a top priority."

In March last year, the government scrapped plans to buy two private jets to fly the prime minister and the Royal Family around the world, citing cost and environmental reasons.



Another do as I say, not what I do from our wonderful Government, let him fly Ryanair, and hopefully he will have to use the outside toilet.

I want one of those (but not a Skoda) Artist creates invisible car The 22-year-old student at the University of Central Lancashire spray painted a battered Skoda Fabia to match the car park and entrance to her art studio.

Her work, created as part of her drawing and image making course at the university, creates the illusion that the car is see through.

The car is reminiscent of the work by pavement artist Julian Beever, whose attempts to trick people's minds into seeing perspective on the flat surfaces of paving stones.

Here are some of his works:

This one isn't

Pot-Kettle: John Prescott's attack on the English language

A sample of Prezza’s “English language” -

Mr Prescott told the BBC show: “A bus is a good way to get over to campaigning. You know I’m into Facebooks and all that kind of new technology now. But I’m into face to face. You’ve got to go out in the market square.

“I undressed 450 students yesterday with Ed Miliband and Eddie Izzard and I did 300 last night.

“You have got to talk to our people and when I hear Charles Clarke saying it’s a shame, I have got to say ... bit of dayjay vu. They were the same people who crawled out of the woodwork last September, told us they were finished, Gordon should go.

Just stick to the pie and mash John; at least that will keep your mouth shut.

And finally:

Keep away from my pigs!

Farmers fear pigs may get swine flu from people KANSAS CITY (Reuters) - Humans have it.

Pigs don't. At least not yet, and U.S. pork producers are doing everything they can to make sure that the new H1N1 virus, known around the world as the "swine flu," stays out of their herds.

"That is the biggest concern, that your herd could somehow contract this illness from an infected person," said Kansas hog farmer Ron Suther, who is banning visitors from his sow barns and requiring maintenance workers, delivery men and other strangers to report on recent travels and any illness before they step foot on his property.

"If a person is sick, we don't want you coming anywhere on the farm," Suther said.

Those sentiments were echoed by producers around the nation this week as fears of a possible global flu pandemic grew, with more than 200 people sickened, including more than 100 in the United States, and at least 177 dead, all but one in Mexico.

"There is no evidence of this new strain being in our pig populations in the United States. And our concern very much is we don't want a sick human to come into our barns and transmit this new virus to our pigs," said National Pork Producers chief veterinarian Jennifer Greiner.

"If humans give it to pigs, we don't have things like Tamiflu for pigs. We don't have antivirals. We have no treatment other than to give them aspirin," said Greiner.

That reminds me I must make a bacon sandwich.

“We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have, our doubt is our passion, and our passion is our task, the rest is the madness of art.” Henry James

Angus

NHS Behind the headlines

Angus Dei politico

NHS-THE OTHER SIDE

ANOTHER NEWSPAPER, ANOTHER VIEW

Today I am taking a “take” on the Express (no don’t laugh).

The best and the funniest (inadvertently I am sure) head line is- Body parts murder clues adding up and I know it isn’t funny, all these parts of someone being discovered all over the place but you must admit it is a gaffe worth noting.


In addition, a good bit of news for America- Paxman axed as Newsnight in US flops the US edition of Newsnight has been dropped after Americans failed to be won over by Jeremy Paxman’s acerbic wit.

The show, launched amid much fanfare in February last year, started off in a prime‑time Friday slot before being moved to Thursdays.

Paxman was expected to be a huge hit and was even compared to fellow Brit, music mogul Simon Cowell, who dominates US TV.

Acerbic Wit? That’s one way of putting it.



Here’s one to cheer us all up- BBC stars to take a pay cut some of the BBC’s highest-paid stars are facing huge salary cuts as part of the broadcaster’s tough plans to curb spending.

They include £6million-a-year Jonathan Ross, who recently returned to work after a three-month suspension for his part in broadcasting lewd phone calls to veteran actor Andrew Sachs.

Also on the hit list for cuts are Graham Norton, on £2.5million, and Jeremy Paxman, on £1million.

It has been reported that up to 40 other BBC television and radio stars on more than £1million a year face seeing their enormous earnings cut after years of bumper rises.
A senior source at the corporation last night insisted that no one was too important to avoid the sweeping pay cuts.

He added: “There are no sacred cows in terms of BBC programmes having to make big savings.”

And about bloody time, but there is some bad news-“The budget-slashing is thought to have taken place on what are known as “returning dramas” like My Family, Spooks or Doctor Who.” three of the best programs on the BEEB.




Something that can affect all of us- How noisy neighbours ruin millions of lives (I had to put the ruin in myself) another editor for the sack!

THE lives of millions of Britons are being blighted by noisy neighbours, a survey has found.

More than a third of us have been disturbed by a racket from nearby houses and many say they can no longer enjoy their homes as a result.

The biggest gripes are loud TVs, radios and hi-fis but some say parties, rows and even karaoke machines drive them crazy.

Research by insulation firm Rockwool found that 38 per cent of Britons – equivalent to 17.5 million people – have been disturbed by noisy neighbours in the past two years.

Six per cent say the problem is so bad; their homes have become virtual prisons.
Forty-two per cent say loud music and TVs are the biggest problem.

Raucous parties upset a third of people, while nearly as many are disturbed by neighbours’ rows.

Almost one in three is also bothered by DIY next door.


So there you are-TURN IT DOWN!




And finally:

Something I think we all know anyway- Prescott is Labour’s laziest MP FORMER Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was yesterday revealed as Labour’s laziest MP.

Mr Prescott – who got £141,000 in expenses and allowances last year as well as his £64,766 salary – missed more than half of all votes, failed to speak in the Commons, belonged to no select committees and tabled no written questions on behalf of his constituents or other taxpayers.

But Mr Prescott has been keeping busy elsewhere. Since leaving government, he has earned £170,000 for private speaking engagements, book-writing and a TV show.

Meanwhile, a new report says that dozens of MPs are not bothering to turn up to vital committee meetings.

Members often claim the reason so few are seen in the Commons chamber is because they are working with groups, such as the Treasury Select Committee, which influence Government policy and new laws.

However, the study reveals 60 of the 220 members on the most important committees “skived off” more than half of all meetings last year.

Worth every penny and that’s what he should be paid.

So there you go, apart from the typos and bad grammar (which my spell checker has corrected) not a bad selection of news, and not a hint of a story about Princess DI, tomorrow: who knows, apparently it is some sort of bank holiday this weekend, I may have a break, then again…….


“Newspapers always excite curiosity. No one ever lays one down without a feeling of disappointment.” Charles Lamb ("Last Essays of Elia," 'Detached Thoughts on Books and Reading')



Angus

NHS Behind the headlines

Angus Dei politico

NHS-THE OTHER SIDE