Screwfix Kicks off 2012 With New Catalogue Launch

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Yeovil, England, With its 200th store launch this month, 2012 set to be a big year for Screwfix, and kicking off the year as it means to go on, the leading multi-channel trade supplier has launched the latest edition of its coveted catalogue. Available for busy tradesmen on the move to conveniently pick up from one of the existing Screwfix branches nationwide or one of the 14 brand new branches scheduled to open this month, the new catalogue is the first of many exciting Screwfix launches in 2012.Whether you’re buying products for your latest project, or just looking to find some great deals, the Screwfix catalogue, which is packed full of firm favourites, is available from your nearest trade counter and is the essential ‘tool’ for any tradesman who want convenience from their trade supplier.The eagerly anticipated first catalogue of the year features over 500 new products which have been added to Screwfix’s already extensive range, ensuring tradesmen have all the tools needed for the job in hand. Exclusive power tool brand Erbauer has extended its range by adding a selection of new and improved power tools and accessories, incorporating enhanced specifications and design, all available at prices that don’t break the bank.Also featured in the catalogue, are hand tools from Stanley and professional plumbing tools from Rothenberger. The Screwfix lighting range now includes new products from LAP with highly efficient commercial batten lamps and holders, as well as LED domestic kitchen downlighters.Tradesmen looking to put their customer’s safety first in the New Year will find a significant selection of the latest security brands added to the catalogue, such as top-of the-range products from Swann and Tate.With the added bonus of Screwfix’s click, pay and collect service, customers are able to order their selected products online or by phone and pick up their items within 15 minutes of placing the order at their nearest trade counter. And with more trade counters opening around the UK throughout January, customers won’t have to travel far to get their trade essentials.
About Screwfix: Recognised as being “where the trade buys” and promising a fast, reliable service, Screwfix is the UK’s leading multi-channel supplier of thousands of high quality screws, fixings, hand tools, power tools, plumbing and electrical supplies. Combining trade prices and a massive range of leading brand name items, Screwfix offers over 18,000 products and is fully committed to customer care and support.

Greenpeace Reactive: The state of play in the legal discussion

Ministers are in one of the most important discussions of the Durban COP, during which they decide if and when to achieve the legally binding treaty and the second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol, which they promised in Copenhagen.The US says delay to 2020, but delay what? The US has long rejected a multilateral climate treaty. The onus to achieve agreement in Durban is on countries like the EU, China, and India.Despite President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize for strengthening multilateralism, countries cannot look to the US for leadership on climate. China and India have a moral responsibility to associate with the most vulnerable countries and agree to be part of a legally binding climate agreement in Durban.The vulnerable countries rightly demand a second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol to be adopted in Durban, and a legally binding agreement to be signed as soon as possible. The EU must demonstrate support for the most vulnerable countries and a strong commitment for environmental integrity in the outcome of the COP. More than 120 countries support a strong mandate for a global legally binding treaty. We urge the EU heads of state to commit to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, to align with the call for a legally binding treaty and to fight for the climate until the very end.” Said Tove Ryding –Greenpeace International Coordinator For Climate Policy

Air France KLM announces

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The Air France KLM Board of Directors, which met on 15 September, approved the Group’s order of 110 long-haul aircraft (50 firm orders and 60 options), still subject to the finalization of discussions with the manufacturers.This first joint long-haul order by Air France and KLM will be replacing in the medium term the aircraft with 200 / 350 seats currently present in the fleet and support the Group’s growing operations. The acquisitions are scaled to a size that can be financed through cash flow generated from Group operations. Consistent with the provisional fleet plan, this order will result in the Group’s operation of 73 next generation aircraft through 2024: 43 Airbus A350-900 and 30 Boeing 787-9. The first aircraft Boeing 787-9 order will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first Airbus A350-900 with Air France in 2018. Later, both airlines will operate both types of aircraft. The selection of engines for the Boeing 787-9 will be made later. The Airbus A350-900 will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine provided for this aircraft by the manufacturer.These new aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% and will give rise to a significant reduction in noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group’s commitments in terms of environment and sustainable development. Air France KLM is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2004 and also leader of the “Transport and leisure” sector. Within the framework of this order, Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, the Group’s aircraft maintenance department, is confirming its commitment to position itself as a key market player for the maintenance of these aircraft and their engines. Following this approval, memoranda of understanding will be signed with Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce and the finalized contracts are expected before the end of the year.

Frontex: effective border management

During the negotiations, MEPs successfully introduced the notion of European Border Guard Teams, replacing and unifying the current Frontex Joint Support Teams and Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABITS). The European Border Guard Teams will consist of a pool of national border guards assigned by Member States to the agency for joint operations, rapid interventions and pilot projects. Within one year, the European Commission will present a feasibility study on the establishment of a system of European Border Guards, one of Parliament’s initial proposals. To strengthen its effectiveness, Frontex will be able to purchase or lease its own equipment, such as cars or helicopters, either by itself or in co-ownership with a Member State. Under the compromise text, once the agency and a Member State agree on an annual plan, the country will be obliged to fulfil its commitments and contribute with staff and equipment to Frontex operations. The agreement also says that the agency will focus its activities on EU countries facing “specific and disproportionate” migratory pressures. Additionally, an Erasmus-style exchange programme for national border guards will be created.
Frontex will process personal data obtained during missions to use it in the fight against criminality, human trafficking and irregular migration. Data must not be stored for more than three months and will only be forwarded to Europol or other EU agencies on a case by case basis. Sending data to third countries will be prohibited.
One of Parliament’s key concerns in the negotiations was to ensure full respect for fundamental rights. At Parliament’s request, Frontex will appoint a fundamental rights officer and set up a consultative forum on fundamental rights. These will assist the agency’s management board and will have access to all information concerning respect for fundamental rights. The consultative forum will involve the EU Fundamental Rights and Asylum Support agencies, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and NGOs specialised in this field.
To reinforce the democratic scrutiny of Frontex, the agency will be required to report regularly to the European Parliament on its fundamental rights activities. Parliament will also be regularly updated on Member States’ contributions to Frontex operations and on agreements with third countries and other agencies. The EP will also receive an annual report on the monitoring of return operations.

Assistance to millions of poor afghans

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) urgently requires US$257 million to continue providing food and assistance to the 7.3 million vulnerable and food-insecure Afghans it aims to support this year, mainly women and children. Though many governments have contributed generously to WFP’s multi-year food assistance operation in Afghanistan, WFP lacks half of what it needs for this year. Due to the decrease in available funds, a critical pipeline break in wheat is expected to occur in June, affecting millions of Afghans currently being assisted by WFP and partners. Wheat is the primary food staple in Afghanistan and is used in rations for nearly all WFP operations, including food-for-work activities, vocational training and literacy programmes for women and other marginalized groups, and emergency food distributions. Supplies of vegetable oil and pulses will run short in July and August respectively. Without additional funds, WFP will be forced to scale back school feeding activities by half in June, affecting more than a million schoolchildren. Shortfalls in specialized nutrition products have also forced WFP to reduce the number of children under five that it can assist – down from 62,000 per month to about 40,000 per month. Fundamental nutrients are vital during the early years when adequate nutrition is crucial for development.
In Afghanistan, it takes between 2-3 months from the time a contribution is received until the food reaches the people who need it. If new contributions cannot be secured soon, food may not be available in time. WFP is appealing to donors for a rapid injection of funds in order to begin procuring food locally and regionally to mitigate this potentially devastating break in food supplies.
WFP has been working continuously in Afghanistan since 1963, and plans to feed some 7.3 million people in all 34 provinces of the country this year.
WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries. WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see: http://www.wfp.org/rss WFP has a dedicated ISDN line in Italy for quality two-way interviews with WFP officials.

“Meeting industry” di Federturismo

Il Presidente Federcongressi Paolo Zona esprime il più vivo plauso per l’iniziativa di Federturismo-Confindustria, che ha comunicato di aver costituito, al proprio interno, un Comitato per la Meeting Industry, con il coordinamento di Annarosa Miele. «Con questa decisione», commenta Zona, «Federturismo conferma in modo esplicito l’interesse per il nostro settore, cui già aveva dato grande importanza nel Piano nazionale del turismo presentato pochi giorni fa dalla presidentessa di Confindustria Emma Marcegaglia, insieme allo stesso presidente di Federturismo Daniel John Winteler e al partner di PricewaterhouseCoopers Giacomo Neri. Tra le cinque azioni indicate appunto come “strategiche” in questo piano figurano i “grandi eventi”, e noi non possiamo che compiacercene». Va ricordato che nel luglio scorso Paolo Zona aveva scritto una lettera a Winteler, caldeggiando il pronto ingresso di un delegato di Federturismo nel Comitato esecutivo di Federcongressi, come il nuovo statuto dell’associazione prevede. «La lettera ha sinora avuto soltanto un riscontro formale», conclude Zona, «ma a fronte della nuova attenzione che Federturismo concede al nostro comparto auspico vivamente che questa lacuna si colmi presto, e sarei ben lieto se la delega venisse conferita ad Annarosa Miele, in virtù del ruolo di coordinamento da lei svolto nel nuovo Comitato».www.federcongressi.it
Federcongressi, organizzazione senza fine di lucro nata nel 2004, è l’associazione nazionale delle imprese pubbliche e private e dei professionisti che svolgono attività connesse con il settore dei congressi, convegni, seminari ed eventi aggregativi, di incentivazione e di comunicazione. A seconda dell’attività principale svolta, gli associati sono inclusi nelle seguenti categorie funzionali: Destination marketing, Meeting management, Incentive and Motivation programs management, Venues, Transport, Meeting support

U.S.A.: Unemployment Benefits

President Obama signed the unemployment benefits extension into law, delivering badly-needed help for Americans who have lost their job in the recession. Today’s good news comes after weeks of obstruction by Republicans, who decided to put political game playing ahead of doing the right thing to help those in need. President Obama had called on the GOP to put these folks before partisan tactics, and last night the Senate finally overcame the Republican filibuster. Upon signing the bill the President also called on Congress to take action and pass aid to states and support for small businesses: “Today, I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession.  After a partisan minority used procedural tactics to block the authorization of this assistance three separate times over the past weeks, Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times.  Now it’s time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses.  Small businesses are the engine of job growth, and measures to cut their taxes and make lending available should not be held hostage to partisan tactics like those that unconscionably held up unemployment insurance.”

WCIT adopts Declaration of Amsterdam

During the closing session of WITSA’s 17th World Congress on IT (WCIT 2010) in Amsterdam the Declaration of Amsterdam was presented by Minister Van der Hoeven (Economic Affairs). The Declaration of Amsterdam, subtitled ‘The Digital Road to Recovery’, spells out commitments to direct the use of ICT to stimulate economic growth and address key societal challenges such as climate change, healthcare and quality of life. To address these challenges in a full and timely manner, the intelligent use of information and communication technologies (ICT) is an important enabler. The Declaration provides a strong support for the development of ICT which is important because ICT is a crucial factor on the way to global economic recovery.  According to Minister Van der Hoeven “it is important to turn the Declaration of Amsterdam and its messages into action”. As an interesting example she mentioned the way the ICT-sector in the Netherlands together with the government wants to reduce the CO2 footprint of the ICT-sector. “More of these public private partnerships are necessary,” according to Van den Hoeven. To turn the Declaration into action the WCIT website doa.wcit2010.org contains an Action Forum to engage a wide range of stakeholders. The results provide input for a process that will continue beyond Amsterdam, towards the next WCIT in 2012 in Montreal, Canada. According to Henk Broeders (chairman ICT~Office) about 70 interesting projects have been submitted since the opening of the website, which can make a difference in making better use of ICT to fulfill its promises.  The Declaration of Amsterdam and its Call for Action is a first step towards implementing the Granada Ministerial Declaration and the EU Digital Agenda and will be recommended for support by the G20 countries at their summit in June 2010 in Toronto, Canada. The declaration is supported by among others: ICT-office, The City of Amsterdam, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Spanish presidency of the EU and the European Commission.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise. The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, “I’ll do everything in my power” to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill “a major mistake” — announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster. We can defeat those who’d stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans — in every state — overwhelmingly support repeal. Stand with the President and join the pledge to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Stand with the President: Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Add your name.  From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now — if we can overcome Republican obstruction — we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to an end. As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because “it’s the right thing to do.” Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn’t just misguided — it’s discrimination. That’s why President Obama didn’t just campaign on ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”; he made it a priority. And it’s why it’s now a matter of how and when — not if — we will repeal this law. But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President’s promise. (Patrick Obama)

The energy and the environment of Europe

The EU should aim to reduce global warming and phase-out fossil fuels by promoting  renewable energy from water, solar, wind, hydrogen, waste and residues from industry. Member States should cooperate and develop energy sources on the basis of both national and regional conditions. This includes de-centralised energy production, energy self-sufficient regions and communities and by using economic instruments and incentives for internationally coordinated research. The EU should establish stimulating instruments – such as tax policies and financial  instruments – to support investment in energy efficiency projects and energy saving measures. Research into energy efficiency and technologies should be subsidised more. The EU should strengthen joint research, information, assistance and sanctions, especially in transport,  housing and agriculture. The EU should ensure energy security for all member states by establishing a transeuropean energy network, and diversifying energy sources and channels of supply. The EU bodies should promote existing nuclear energy, focussing on strengthening operational  safety and, at the same time, actively promoting the development of new and alternative  nuclear technologies, for example „hot nuclear fusion“, „cold nuclear fusion“, etc.  The EU should create laws to improve market access for alternative energy suppliers, e.g. by liberalizing transmission rights and shortening minimum terms for contracts. Local,  decentralised energy producers must be given real access to the electrical grid.  The EU should create an environmental policy that reduces CO2 emissions. In order to do so, it  should for example promote the creation and protection of forests, closely monitor CO2  emissions, reduce taxes for businesses that do not exceed CO2 limits.  The EU should support environmentally responsible companies, and reform polluting industries  by investing in new and clean production processes and technologies especially developing recycling programmes for each industry. The European Union should create a label of good environmental practices for businesses. Sanctions should be imposed on those who violate environmental rules. The European Commission should establish a European police force in order to tackle cross- border crime which should be positioned above the national police forces (i.e. the FBI-model).  The EU should make Europe a safer place by defending the borders of its member states as its  own borders and by adapting a defence policy based on European interests. The member  states should comply with this policy and should not serve the interests of other international organizations

Trico Marine Services, Inc.

The Woodlands, Texas, (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Trico Marine Services, announced plans to report earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, on Thursday, May 6, 2010 after the close of markets in the United States. The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on Friday, May 7, 2010, to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties.
Trico Marine is an integrated provider of subsea, trenching and marine support vessels and services. Trico Marine recently increased its subsea market presence through its acquisition of DeepOcean, a recognized market leader in the provision of high quality subsea services including, IMR, survey and construction support, subsea intervention and decommissioning, marine trenching and the laying and burying of subsea cable. DeepOcean controls a well equipped fleet of vessels and operates a fleet of modern ROVs and trenching equipment.  Trico Marine also continues to provide a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry through use of its diversified fleet of vessels including the transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews to drilling rigs and other offshore facilities; towing drilling rigs and equipment, and support for the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of offshore facilities.   Trico Marine is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas and has a global presence with operations in the North Sea, West Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Southeast Asia.  http://www.tricomarine.com.

U.S.A.: Wall Street reform bill

Both parties have worked for months crafting a bipartisan Wall Street reform bill. But, just hours ago, Senate Republicans — including Senator Chuck Grassley — voted for a second time to protect their allies on Wall Street and block reform. Maybe they think obstruction is a good political strategy in an election year. Maybe they’re hoping the delay will give bank lobbyists time to water down reform with loopholes and exemptions. But here’s what we know for sure: These Republicans have a lot to explain to the American people. A recent ABC News poll showed that 65 percent support the reforms they just opposed.Sen. Grassley still has time to cross the aisle and stand with Main Street — but to make it happen, Iowa’s voters need to speak out now. With American families struggling in the wake of a crippling financial crisis, they want to know that Washington is doing something to protect consumers from exploitation at the hands of the big banks that got us into this mess. The Senate bill that Republicans are blocking will provide the strongest consumer financial protections in history, while ensuring that American taxpayers are never again forced to bail out a Wall Street firm “too big to fail.” Sadly, instead of working to debate and revise the bill, Republicans in the Senate are teaming up with the big banks. In fact, press reports confirm that Republican leaders have been meeting privately all month with Wall Street executives, plotting to weaken the bill. With their votes, it appears they’re intent on carrying out that plan.But President Obama has made it clear that any reform bill that doesn’t go far enough to rein in the big banks is not acceptable. He’s counting on us to speak up.

Nathaniel Mellors: The Seven Ages of Britain Teaser

Roma fino al 29/5/2010 via Sforza Cesarini 43a, Monitor – Palazzo Sforza Cesarini. La galleria Monitor è orgogliosa di presentare la prima personale italiana dell’artista inglese Nathaniel Mellors. Focus della mostra sarà il nuovo video The Seven Ages of Britain Teaser, commissionato dall’emittente britannica BBC per la nuova serie televisiva The Seven Ages of Britain presentata dal famoso frontman David Dimbleby. The Seven Ages of Britain Teaser continua l’aspetto visionario del lavoro di Mellors in bilico tra uno humor in perfetto stile Monty Pyton unito all’ispirazione per il cinema e il teatro come punto di partenza per osservazioni relative all’appropriazione culturale e alle strutture del potere. Nel nuovo video lo sguardo dell’artista si focalizza sulla comunicazione televisiva e sul ruolo che essa ricopre nella società contemporanea. The Seven Ages of Britain Teaser tratta del controllo del linguaggio e dell’invenzione dell’alfabeto riflettendo sull’importanza dei media e della TV nella cornice della Storia. In mostra sarà anche presente una nuova scultura animatronica mutuata dal viso di Dimbleby, sulla quale si incentra l’intero video. La faccia è concepita come un organismo autonomo, che vive per sé. Quest’ultimo lavoro è infatti un vero e proprio modello di broadcasting con un aspetto inedito: gli occhi del viso si muovono e il suono prodotto dai motori che innescano questo movimento è amplificato attraverso un microfono e una serie di effetti che lo trasformano in una ronzante e psichedelica colonna sonora. La mostra è realizzata grazie al supporto della Mondriaan Foundation, Amsterdam e dell’Ambasciata Olandese, Roma Nathaniel Mellors, 1974 Doncaster, Inghilterra. Ha recentemente terminato la sua residenza presso la Rijksakademie, Amsterdam e vive tra Londra e Amsterdam.

The world helps Haiti

Caritas is appealing for US$ 42 million (Euro 30 million) to provide 200,000 Haiti quake survivors with immediate food, shelter, medical help, and clean water. The strongest earthquake in Haiti in more than 200 years, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, rocked the impoverished Caribbean nation on 12 January. The death toll could be as high as 200,000 with over 3.7 million people in need.  Half a million children in Haiti need help. Hospitals, water supply, electricity, and local infrastructure are all critically affected. Homes, offices, and roads are destroyed.  Support has been flooding into Caritas offices from around the world. So far Caritas agencies have received $US 33 million (EUR 23. 5 million) in donations. Many supporters are holding collections this weekend.  Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga said, “Caritas aid is starting to reach the people in Haiti in large quantities. Caritas will be increasing the amounts of food, water, tents and medical help over the coming days. Our teams are doing wonderful work getting help to the most vulnerable.  “The support, prayers and messages of solidarity that Caritas has received for the people of Haiti from around the world is inspiring. It is a symbol of one common humanity sharing its efforts to overcome the terrible tragedy in Haiti. The Haitians will need even more solidarity over the coming months as they build a better future.”  The appeal launched today will provide medical services and supplies, clean water and sanitation, emergency shelter, food, rubble removal and street cleaning, and family reunification over the next two months. Caritas will work directly in 20 camps, but also distribute aid through its contacts with priests and religious working in 32 parishes with 150,000 people in need. The two month appeal will be followed by a longer 12 month reconstruction programme. Caritas began aid distributions immediately after the earthquake and has carried large scale distributions of food, blankets, water purification tablets, and tents to over 20,000 people in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and other towns.  In the badly damaged city of Léogâne, 11,000 blankets, water purification tablets, tents, and tarpaulins were given out yesterday to survivors. Caritas has been providing medical support to St. Francois de Sale hospital and set up medical tents to provide surgical care elsewhere. A Caritas team of Search and Rescue staff has helped save people from collapsed buildings.

Food crisis in Sudan

Caritas is launching an appeal to feed 35,000 people affected by conflict and drought in South Sudan. The appeal for US$ 3.4 million (EUR 2.3 million) will supply food aid in Western and Eastern Equatoria states in the south of the country. Two years of drought in Eastern Equatoria has left hundreds of thousands of people in need. Caritas will provide 10,000 people in Eastern Equatoria with food aid and planting materials, and train farmers on improved farming techniques, in order to support people’ livelihoods until harvest in 2010. Meanwhile, an upsurge of violence in Western Equatoria has forced 68,000 from their homes. Conflict worsened with the arrival into the area of a militia force formerly based in Uganda called the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Caritas aims to reach 25,000 people in urgent need of immediate care in Western Equatoria. Sudan is recovering from 22 years of civil war between the Government in Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in the South that ended with the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the two parties in 2005. Caritas Internationalis Humanitarian Director Alistair Dutton said, “People caught in drought or conflict in South Sudan need urgent food aid. Caritas is able to reach isolated villages and communities caught in conflict to provide support. “Violence in South Sudan is now worse than in Darfur, much of it tribal. The growing insecurity must be addressed by governments in the North and South Sudan. If the current peace deal unravels we will be headed towards a major catastrophe. “Peace can be reached through dialogue. The violence is a regional issue and needs to be addressed not just in Sudan but in Uganda, Central Africa Republic, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The UN Mission in Sudan must protect civilians for all forms of violence.”