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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A small plane, piloted by sixteen-year-old Ryan McCall, crashed near Orange County Airport in Virginia, at about 9:45 a.m. local time Sunday morning, police said. He was killed in the accident.

The boy, Ryan McCall, a sophomore at Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania County, was alone on the plane. The plane, a 1974 Piper, model PA28140, crashed in a field just east of the airport. The plane belonged to Springfield, Virginia resident William Rushing III.

Flying instructors suggested birds might have contributed to the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are continuing their investigation as to what actually happened. Sixteen-year-old pilots are common, according to Virginia Aviation Board President Johnny Meza. He said a sixteen-year-old flying either alone or with a certified pilot is allowed. The NTSB predicted five to ten business days for a preliminary report.

The Spotsylvania County school district sent out a memorandum saying the school’s administration is working with counsellors to help students cope with the loss of their classmate. The statement said in part, “We were very saddened to hear the news about the death of Riverbend High Sophomore Ryan McCall.” Grief counsellors were available at the school to provide support to students.

The boy’s remains were sent to a medical examiner’s office for autopsy.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

The United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care on Friday postponed restrictions on multibuy promotional deals and online and TV advertising for junk food products by one year.

The deferral affects a ban on deals incentivising multiple purchases of foods high in fat, salt or sugar, including buy one, get one free and complimentary refills for soft drinks, and on paid TV advertisements before 9pm and online.

A Department press release attributes the delay to the “unprecedented global economic situation”, and states that it is hoped postponing restrictions will give businesses “more time to prepare for the restrictions on advertising”, and allow the government to “review and monitor the impact” of the multibuy ban. It said: “Economies across the world have been affected by higher than expected global energy and goods prices, leading to increased costs across supply chains which are affecting both businesses and consumers.”

The delay of the ban on multibuy deals would last until October 2023. Due to delays in implementing the Health and Care Bill 2021, the advertising ban is postponed until January 2024. Restrictions on the placement of such products in stores, at checkouts and on supermarket websites and apps will enter into force from October 2022, as planned.

Campaigner and chef Jamie Oliver called it “a wasted opportunity” that “starts to erode the whole obesity strategy”. He urged “real leadership” from Prime Minister Boris Johnson “to give young people a healthier and fairer future”.

Oliver was joined by Barbara Crowther of the Children’s Food Campaign and Graham MacGregor, cardiologist and campaigner at Queen Mary University of London.

Whilst Public Health Minister Maggie Throup said “we’re committed to doing everything we can to help people live healthier lives”, her Labour counterpart Andrew Gwynne called it a reversal.

The press release read: “Addressing obesity remains a priority for government, and will reduce the strain put on the NHS as it works to tackle the COVID-19 backlogs.” Media, Data and Digital Minister Julia Lopez cited spending £550 million “to level up access to sport and physical activity right across the country” as evidence of determination “to tackle childhood obesity”.

Gwynne argued: “Johnson’s desperation to cling onto his job means the ideology of Conservative MPs is being placed above children’s health […] Instead of cutting childhood obesity, preventing ill-health and easing pressure on the NHS, this chaotic government is performing another U-turn.”

The Independent wrote of backbench Conservative MPs having reportedly criticised the deal as evidence of a “nanny state”.

Johnson is reported to have made the decision after leading a ministerial meeting on the cost of living Wednesday. The Times reported ministers told him of the cost the bans would have on the food and advertisement agencies. Further, The Guardian and The Independent wrote of rumours the government could simply axe the restrictions, some of the toughest in the world. MacGregor said “Johnson could have left a legacy of being the first prime minister to address obesity in a meaningful way”, but “he has given in to his own MPs, and an aggressive food industry, who, ironically, were starting to comply”.

When first announced in November 2020, 800 food and drink manufacturers, including Britvic and Kellogg’s, called the ban on junk food advertising “disproportionate”, adding “the evidence base underpinning these proposals is lacking in both detail and efficacy”. Kellogg’s last month sued the government over the restrictions on product placement in prime locations in stores.

The Food and Drink Federation said the delay “makes sense” in response to “high inflation”, though the Children’s Food Campaign argues multibuy deals do not save consumers money, but instead increase junk food purchases. Figures published on Friday indicate two in five Britons are buying less food as the Bank of England warns inflation could top 10% this year.

The press release promised a public consultation on TV and paid-for online adverts in the next weeks.

Broadcasters could lose over £200 million in annual revenue if the ban on junk food advertising past watershed hours goes ahead.

The government touted its calorie labelling laws passed last month, and measures taken to help alleviate the cost of living. The Department also promised the publication of a Health Disparities white paper and launch of a Better Health: Rewards scheme to address obesity.

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Monday, May 21, 2007

In an unofficial move by contractor, Roy Harding, a rubbish tip has been named after comedian John Cleese, dubbed “Mt. Cleese” in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The naming came after Mr Cleese visited Palmerston North last year and described it as a great place to go to commit suicide, claiming it was the “suicide capital of New Zealand”. He also stated that they were glad to leave after their performance at the Regent on Broadway was over. Mr Harding says it is just to get back at Mr Cleese.

Official signage is now being ordered after city councillors said they thought it was good idea. “People just smile and leave it there,” Chris Pepper, waste and water manager, said.

John Clarke (aka Fred Dagg), entertainer, suggested that the Awapuni Landfill be named after Mr Cleese after the comments arose in a podcast on his website. However, Mr Clarke’s suggestion was slightly different, choosing the name, “John Cleese Memorial Tip…All manner of crap happily recycled.”

The slightly bare tip, now being used as a waste minimisation centre, is being prepared for a large delivery of compost.

John Cleese is most famous for his parts in Monty Python and Fawlty Towers television shows as well as various movies including A Fish Called Wanda.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Wikinews reporter Iain Macdonald has performed an interview with Dr Isabella Margara, a London-based member of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE). In the interview Margara sets out the communist response to current events in Greece as well as discussing the viability of a communist economy for the nation. She also hit back at Petros Tzomakas, a member of another Greek far-left party which criticised KKE in a previous interview.

The interview comes amid tensions in cash-strapped Greece, where the government is introducing controversial austerity measures to try to ease the nation’s debt-problem. An international rescue package has been prepared by European Union member states and the International Monetary Fund – should Greece require a bailout; protests have been held against government attempts to manage the economic situation.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Dell Inc., a global leader in computer hardware manufacturing and sales, announced yesterday that it will delay filing of its annual performance report, the Form 10-K, required for compliance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nasdaq listing rules.

In a press release, Dell explained that an audit committee of the company’s board of directors is carrying out an investigation into accounting and financial reporting issues. The company stated that it would delay filing of the 10-K since the investigation had not been completed.

The internal investigation has found evidence of accounting errors, misconduct, and deficiencies in areas of financial control.

The chairman of Dell’s audit committee, Thomas Luce III, indicated that the delay in filing would extend past the April 3, 2007 deadline as well as an April 18, 2007 extension date. “As we move toward the conclusion of our investigation, we are committing the time and resources required to ensure a thorough and comprehensive review and resolution of all identified issues and the implementation of appropriate remedial measures,” said Luce.

The investigation is to determine whether the restatement of any financial disclosures are warranted, based on the accounting errors identified. The probe will also assess whether there are deficiencies in Dell’s internal control over financial reporting.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The game publisher Konami stated today in a Japanese newspaper that they will not be releasing the game Six Days in Fallujah. The game is based on the Second Battle of Fallujah, a vicious battle between American and Iraqi forces.

“After seeing the reaction to the video game in the United States and hearing opinions sent through phone calls and e-mail, we decided several days ago not to sell it,” Tokyo based Konami told the newspaper. “We had intended to convey the reality of the battles to players so that they could feel what it was like to be there.”

The developer of the game, Atomic Games, received controversial feedback from families of dead soldiers stating the game’s concept as “exploitative and distasteful”, as paraphrased by the The Wall Street Journal.

That paper also quoted a woman whose son had died in the Iraq war, who said “These people who aren’t affected by the war get to sit on their couch and play this ‘fun’ game.”

Video game developer Atomic Games has not yet stated a reaction to Konami’s announcement.