The British Embassy in Kuwait is proud to announce the return to Kuwait of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows following their spectacular display here last November. In their third visit to Kuwait the world’s premier aerobatic display team will be performing a 22 minute show commencing at 4pm on Thursday 28 September. The display will be visible along the length of Arabian Gulf Street so come along to find your spot anywhere between the Marina Mall and the Kuwait Towers.

The Red Arrows have been impressing crowds across the United Kingdom and around the world for more than 50 years. 2016 was a particularly exciting year for the team, performing in China for the first time as well as mounting displays in 16 countries, including Kuwait, on their way to and from the Far East. The team, which flies British-built T1 Hawk fast-jets, will have completed more than 4800 shows since their very first show in 1965. Today, the Red Arrows are known and admired throughout the world, acting as ambassadors for Great Britain wherever they fly. In addition to demonstrating the UK’s commitment to regional security and defence, the RAF team also support UK industry by showcasing the capabilities of British equipment and expertise. Inspiring millions of people every year, the world’s premier aerobatic team, the Red Arrows represent excellence both at home and overseas through their display of speed, agility and teamwork.

The Red Arrows also support national initiatives to encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects which showcases the common goal of the Red Arrows and that is the constant pursuit of excellence.

Also visiting Kuwait at the same time as the Red Arrows will be the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP, the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport.

During the Red Arrow’s visit to Kuwait, the team will make a number of public appearances, including meeting children from local schools.

Jacky Perkins, Chargé d’ Affaires at the British Embassy in Kuwait said:

It is our honour and privilege to welcome the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows to Kuwait again after a wonderful display last November. The Red Arrows’ show celebrates the UK’s continued commitment to Kuwait and our longstanding bilateral defence relationship. The defence and security relationship between Kuwait and the UK remains strong and we are very grateful to the Government of Kuwait, especially Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence HE Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah for supporting the red Arrows and making this fantastic event possible.

Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows team Wing Commander Martin Higgins said:

Detailed preparation goes into each and every aspect of the Red Arrows year, which involves a continuous high-tempo cycle of training displays and engagement activities. Whether it is a performance at a home venue in the UK or a show overseas, such as Kuwait, the Red Arrows help to project vital influence, promote prosperity and support important national interests.

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A UK in Pakistan; photography exhibition was launched in Hyderabad on 26th Sept by the Acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Steve Crossman, and the British Council Director for Sindh and Balochistan Christopher Hunt.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Shared History; Shared Future’ showcases 70 years of UK-Pakistan relations and will be open to the general public from 26 to 28 September at the Benazir Bhutto Art Gallery, Institute of Art and Design, University of Sindh Jamshoro. The same exhibition has already opened at the British Parliament in London, and is touring across nearly 20 major cities in Pakistan and the UK.

Speaker of the Sindh Provincial Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh Jamshoro Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat, also joined the Acting British Deputy High Commissioner and British Council Director Sindh and Balochistan at the event along with officials from the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi, guests from the university and local businessmen in Hyderabad.

The Acting British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, Mr Steve Crossman, said:

2017 is a historic year as we celebrate 70 years of friendship between the UK and Pakistan, and we are delighted to bring our photography exhibition to Hyderabad. The photographs that are displayed in this exhibition showcase our cooperation in trade, sports, politics, development, defence, education, infrastructure and culture over the last 70 years and we look towards deepening our friendship over the next 70 years.

Education plays an important part in our friendship as we look to progress together. Pakistan is the recipient of the biggest DFID education programme anywhere in the world. Many Sindhi scholars win Chevening scholarships to study in the UK. These scholarships serve to deepen the warmth and understanding between our two countries, whilst attracting the brightest and the best to study in the UK. The scheme is seeking 2018/19 applicants now. And next month we will be launching our GREAT debate competition for students nationwide. We encourage you to participate!

The British Council Director Sindh and Balochistan, Mr Christopher Hunt, said:

In 1947 the British Council first started its work in Karachi and we have been working in Pakistan ever since. Today, we work in all of the provinces of Pakistan and engage with millions of Pakistanis every year.

In Sindh over the past two years we have helped nearly 45,000 boys and girls enrol and stay in school and we have supported tens of thousands of students in Sindh gain internationally recognised qualifications and work towards a promising future. British Council Pakistan will continue to create opportunities for the people of our countries; helping people in Pakistan benefit from the UK’s skills and experience whilst supporting people in Pakistan share their expertise with the UK”.

The British High Commission’s ‘Shared History Shared Future.’ photography exhibition is currently touring the UK and will continue to be exhibited in other cities in Pakistan.

Throughout the year, the British High Commission, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission in London, is organising several events and activities to mark 70 years of UK and Pakistan’s relations. Details of these events are regularly featured on the British High Commission’s social media pages.

Contact

More Information

For updates on the British High Commission’s 70th Anniversary of UK – Pakistan relations:

About the British Council:

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide. We value diversity and difference. We work in over 100 countries in the areas of arts, education and English. We have been working in Pakistan since 1947. British Council website

The Minister will meet President Sargsyan, Prime Minister Karapetyan, Speaker of the National Assembly Parliament Babloyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nalbandian and other senior officials. Sir Alan will hear firsthand about Armenia’s political and economic reform programme and will reiterate UK support for the ambitious reforms to enhance the resilience and prosperity of the country.

The UK has been supporting the government’s reform programme, including helping the National Assembly prepare for its greater oversight powers, supporting the Ministry of Justice implement an anti-corruption strategy and working with the Ministry of Defence to embed European Human Rights standards in the Armenian armed forces.

In a speech to the National Assembly of Armenia, the Minister will champion the important role of parliament in a democracy, and in turn the role of parliamentarians in representing the people who elect them.

Ahead of his visit, the Minister of Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, said:

My first visit to Armenia is an opportunity for me to celebrate the UK’s support to Armenia in its consolidation as a democratic, resilient and prosperous country. Over the 25 years since we established diplomatic relations, co-operation has flourished across a range of spheres – including political, commercial, educational and cultural.

We believe there are further opportunities to deepen our co-operation. I look forward to meeting President Sargsyan, Prime Minister Karapetyan, Foreign Minister Nalbandian and other high level officials in Armenia. I will outline the UK’s readiness to support Armenia’s efforts to embed democracy, good governance and human rights and explore ways to boost trade between our 2 countries.

Following his visit, the Minister gave an update on how the UK is supporting Armenia’s constitutional progress:

Sir Alan Duncan’s visit

Further information

Summary

At 10:02 hrs on 22 December 2016, a pedestrian, who had just got off an inbound tram at Woodbourn Road tram stop, was struck and fatally injured by an outbound tram travelling from Sheffield city centre towards Meadowhall. The pedestrian was using the crossing at the northern end of the tram stop at the time. The crossing, which runs over both tracks, provides a pathway between the inbound platform and Woodbourn Road. No one was waiting at the outbound platform and no one on board the outbound tram had requested that it stop, so it was travelling non-stop through the platform at around 13 mph (21 km/h).

The tram driver did not see the pedestrian approaching the crossing. Until shortly before the collision, the tram driver’s attention was focused on looking in the tram’s mirrors and not on looking ahead. Consequently, the driver did not see the pedestrian in time to take action to prevent the accident. Other possible factors that might have contributed to the accident were that the driver was wearing sunglasses, which might have reduced the visibility of the pedestrian who was in a shaded area, and the driver’s concentration level might have been reduced by that stage of the journey. The pedestrian was seemingly unaware that the tram was approaching the crossing and the tram did not give an audible warning to indicate that it was passing non-stop through the tram stop. An underlying cause was that Stagecoach Supertram had not assessed the risk of trams in service running non-stop through tram stops when it first introduced the system of request stops around 1999. The RAIB also found inconsistencies between the training and assessments for new tram drivers when making non-stop movements through tram stops and the operational standards that drivers are required to follow for such movements.

Since the accident, Stagecoach Supertram has reported it has taken action to mandate audible warnings for all non-stop movements through tram stops and to reduce driver distraction due to looking in mirrors. It has also updated its risk assessment to include trams in service running non-stop through tram stops and implemented measures to reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians. These reported actions address factors which otherwise would have resulted in RAIB recommendations.

Recommendations

The RAIB has made two recommendations. One recommendation is addressed to Stagecoach Supertram and relates to the continuance of its work to review its training material against its operational standards so that they are made consistent. The second recommendation is addressed to UK tram operators, in conjunction with UK Tram Limited, and relates to setting up an industry working group to monitor the development and application of new pedestrian detection technology to alert drivers to potential collisions with pedestrians.

The RAIB has also identified three learning points. The first highlights the importance of tram operators actively assessing and managing the additional risk to users of foot crossings associated with trams making non-stop movements through tram stops. The second reminds tram drivers to only use driving mirrors for essential tasks related to the safe operation of the tram during non-stop movements through tram stops. The third is for tram drivers about understanding how sunglasses can affect their vision when passing from sunlit to shaded areas, particularly during the winter months when the sun is low.

Notes to editors

1. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
2. RAIB operates, as far as possible, in an open and transparent manner. While our investigations are completely independent of the railway industry, we do maintain close liaison with railway companies and if we discover matters that may affect the safety of the railway, we make sure that information about them is circulated to the right people as soon as possible, and certainly long before publication of our final report.
3. For media enquiries, please call 01932 440015.

Newsdate: 27 September 2017