Aug112017
I’m not personally one of those who thinks we should weaken encryption because I think there is a parallel issue, which is cybersecurity more broadly.
Jonathan Evans, former Head of MI5
That was the former Chief of MI5 Jonathan Evans, speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and stating that he would not support a clampdown on the use of encryption.
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Aug112017
11 August 2017 – More than 600,000 displaced Syrians returned home in the first seven months of 2017, the United Nations migration agency and partners have found.
Findings by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and partners indicate that 84 per cent of the people returning had been displaced within Syria, and the rest returned from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Refugees returning from Turkey and Jordan reportedly returned mainly to Aleppo and Al Hasakeh Governorates.
An estimated 27 per cent of the returnees stated that they did so to protect their assets or properties and 25 per cent referred to the improved economic situation in their area of origin.
Other factors included the worsening economic situation in the place where they were seeking refuge, at 14 per cent; social or cultural issues such as tribal links, political affiliations or any obstacle preventing integration in their area of displacement, at 11 per cent; and the improvement of the security situation in their area of return, at 11 per cent.
Half of all returns in 2016 were to Aleppo Governorate. The report shows that similar trends have been observed in 2017. Consequently, an estimated 67 per cent of the returnees, or 405,420 individuals, returned to Aleppo Governorate, with 27,620 returning to Idleb Governorate, and 75,209 to Hama Governorate, 45,300 to Ar-Raqqa Governorate, 21,346 to Rural Damascus and 27,861 to other governorates.
Aleppo city received the most returnees.
Reports also find that 97 per cent returned to their own house, 1.8 per cent are living with hosts, 1.4 per cent in abandoned houses, 0.14 per cent in informal settlements and 0.03 per cent in rented accommodation.
About 83 per cent and 80 per cent of returnees said they have access to food and household items, respectively. But only 41 per cent have access to water and 39 per cent to health services – a dangerously low level – as the country’s infrastructure has been extremely damaged by the conflict.
While trends of returns increase, Syria continues to witness high rates of displacement. From January to July 2017, an estimated 808,661 people were displaced, many for the second or third time, and over 6 million in total currently remain displaced within the country.
Returns have mainly been spontaneous but not necessarily voluntary, safe or sustainable. As such, they cannot, at present, be considered a durable solution.
Aug112017
12 August 2017
Scotland can be a fairer, greener and better country, here are 15 things we would do to make Scotland greener.
1. Aspiring to generate 50 per cent of our electricity, heat and transport demand from renewables by 2030.
2. Stress-testing all Scottish Government policies against climate commitments.
3. Banning onshore fracking.
4. Cancelling the SNP’s plan to cut air passenger duty which will lead to an annual increase in greenhouse gas emissions of 50,000 tonnes.
5. Tackling fuel poverty including introducing tougher targets to make private rented homes more energy efficient.
6. Creating more jobs in low carbon industries.
7. Supporting calls for a Just Transition Commission.
8. Calling for robust change from the Scottish Government through the Transition Training Fund.
9. Extending the powers to re-regulate local bus services and introducing regulationsto protect bus routes of critical community value.
10. Returning ScotRail to the public sector and ensuring train ticket prices are fairer, taking more cars off our roads.
11. Introducing a plastic bottle deposit scheme.
12. Encouraging public and private sector bodies to take part in ‘active travel’ schemes and persuading workers to commute by public transport. This also addresses air quality.
13. Supporting the development of a Sustainable Energy Innovation Centre, currently under review by the Scottish Funding Council.
14. Addressing biodiversity concerns including protecting our bees by prohibiting neonicotinoids as soon as our EU relationship allows us to do so.
15. Enacting an animal welfare plan to protect Scotland’s wildlife.
Read more about our summer campaign, For the Many, by clicking the image below:
Aug112017
Rebecca
Long-Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy,
responding to the RAA announcement on Tata Steel, said:
“This
is a welcome announcement which finally puts an end to the months of
uncertainty that tens of thousands of steelworkers have faced.
“Trade
unions representing steel workers have worked tirelessly to secure workers’
futures and protect Britain’s steel industry, which people and communities
across the UK rely on. The company must ensure they continue to engage with
unions so their members get the support and guidance they need.
“Labour
has stood up for steelworkers and fought to save our steel industry. Now it is
vital that Tata Steel, supported by the Government, follows through with their
commitment to invest in their whole steel business to protect jobs and secure
the long-term future of UK steelmaking.”
Aug112017
This project has researched the preferred drawdown capacity for reservoirs in the UK and provides guidance on consistent methods for assessing the adequacy of existing drawdown facilities.
The guidance is intended for reservoir inspecting engineers who are required under UK reservoir legislation to review the drawdown capacity of reservoirs. Reservoir owners may also find the guidance useful.