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24/03/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Space Tackled From Swindon
The UK Space Agency, which has aspirations to become a major player in space exploration during the next two decades, was launched today as captains of industry and children clapped in time to a countdown that ended with the unveiling of a shiny red, white and blue logo. The countdown began with the push of a button from Major Tim Peake, a former army helicopter pilot, who was selected as Britain's first official astronaut last year. The new agency, which will operate out of temporary offices in Swindon, will take official control of Britain's space policy and budget on 1 April and will represent the country's strategy on all space matters in negotiations with other nations and their space agencies.
Telegraph Comes Tops
While Guardian journalists have won the reporter and feature writer of the year award, the Daily Telegraph dominated this week's British Press Awards, winning six prizes for its exposé on MPs' expenses. It claimed newspaper of the year, while editor-in-chief Will Lewis was awarded journalist of the year for the forensic investigation into expenses claimed by politicians that led to an unprecedented number of MPs quitting parliament.
Exams Queried
Teachers and parents launched 13% more appeals against marks this year compared with last, the exams watchdog revealed today. There were more appeals against A-level and GCSE marks this year compared with last and Ofqual said there had been 504 appeals on re-marked papers, compared with 445 last year. However, just 48 resulted in a grade change, compared with 42 last year.
Travellers Plan Shunned
Plans for a £1.4m gypsy site have been rejected for a second time in six months by a local authority. Powys Council's Planning Committee voted against the proposal to transform farmland at Llanfilo, near Brecon, into a camp for a family of Romany gypsies. The plans were initially turned down last September, but the applicants threatened a judicial review. But the council has now confirmed that the application had been rejected for the second time.
McAleese Honours British War Graves
Irish President Mary McAleese is visiting Gallipoli in Turkey to mark the deaths of thousands of Irish soldiers who fought in the British Army during the First World War. She attended wreath-laying ceremonies in the Gallipoli region where nearly 4,000 Irish troops died in a bloody five-month campaign in 1915. Thousands died, but tragically, many surviving soldiers from across Ireland who fought in the Turkish campaign later served at the infamous Battle of the Somme in 1916 - having first gone into action on the Gallipoli beachhead. The Irish dead included those serving in the 10th (Irish) Division as well as many thousands in the Anzac forces from Australia and New Zealand. Soldiers who later served in the 36th (Ulster) Division in the killing fields of France also took part in the campaign. See, full story: McAleese Honours British War Graves
(BMcC/GK)
The UK Space Agency, which has aspirations to become a major player in space exploration during the next two decades, was launched today as captains of industry and children clapped in time to a countdown that ended with the unveiling of a shiny red, white and blue logo. The countdown began with the push of a button from Major Tim Peake, a former army helicopter pilot, who was selected as Britain's first official astronaut last year. The new agency, which will operate out of temporary offices in Swindon, will take official control of Britain's space policy and budget on 1 April and will represent the country's strategy on all space matters in negotiations with other nations and their space agencies.
Telegraph Comes Tops
While Guardian journalists have won the reporter and feature writer of the year award, the Daily Telegraph dominated this week's British Press Awards, winning six prizes for its exposé on MPs' expenses. It claimed newspaper of the year, while editor-in-chief Will Lewis was awarded journalist of the year for the forensic investigation into expenses claimed by politicians that led to an unprecedented number of MPs quitting parliament.
Exams Queried
Teachers and parents launched 13% more appeals against marks this year compared with last, the exams watchdog revealed today. There were more appeals against A-level and GCSE marks this year compared with last and Ofqual said there had been 504 appeals on re-marked papers, compared with 445 last year. However, just 48 resulted in a grade change, compared with 42 last year.
Travellers Plan Shunned
Plans for a £1.4m gypsy site have been rejected for a second time in six months by a local authority. Powys Council's Planning Committee voted against the proposal to transform farmland at Llanfilo, near Brecon, into a camp for a family of Romany gypsies. The plans were initially turned down last September, but the applicants threatened a judicial review. But the council has now confirmed that the application had been rejected for the second time.
McAleese Honours British War Graves
Irish President Mary McAleese is visiting Gallipoli in Turkey to mark the deaths of thousands of Irish soldiers who fought in the British Army during the First World War. She attended wreath-laying ceremonies in the Gallipoli region where nearly 4,000 Irish troops died in a bloody five-month campaign in 1915. Thousands died, but tragically, many surviving soldiers from across Ireland who fought in the Turkish campaign later served at the infamous Battle of the Somme in 1916 - having first gone into action on the Gallipoli beachhead. The Irish dead included those serving in the 10th (Irish) Division as well as many thousands in the Anzac forces from Australia and New Zealand. Soldiers who later served in the 36th (Ulster) Division in the killing fields of France also took part in the campaign. See, full story: McAleese Honours British War Graves
(BMcC/GK)
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22 July 2009
European Space Agency Touches Down In UK
In a remarkable first for the UK, the European Space Agency (ESA) will touch down in Britain this week, heralding the start of a new space age and thrusting the sector forward for the next 40 years and beyond.
European Space Agency Touches Down In UK
In a remarkable first for the UK, the European Space Agency (ESA) will touch down in Britain this week, heralding the start of a new space age and thrusting the sector forward for the next 40 years and beyond.
01 April 2011
UK Space Agency Fully Established And Going For Growth
The UK Space Agency becomes an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills today. This will see the Agency taking over responsibility for the majority of the UK’s commitment to space exploration and science.
UK Space Agency Fully Established And Going For Growth
The UK Space Agency becomes an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills today. This will see the Agency taking over responsibility for the majority of the UK’s commitment to space exploration and science.
18 October 2011
Branson Opens World's First Space Port
Millionaire eccentric Sir Richard Branson has opened the world's first commercial space port in New Mexico. More than 800 guests watched Branson abseil from the roof of the 'Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space' port while his commercial space vehicles flew over the southern New Mexico skies during the dedication ceremony.
Branson Opens World's First Space Port
Millionaire eccentric Sir Richard Branson has opened the world's first commercial space port in New Mexico. More than 800 guests watched Branson abseil from the roof of the 'Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space' port while his commercial space vehicles flew over the southern New Mexico skies during the dedication ceremony.
14 February 2008
UK Join The Space Race
The UK could be launching its very own space programme, if plans revealed today go ahead. The UK Civil Space Strategy: 2008-2012 and Beyond is a follow up document to a report by an expert working group, which proposes overturning a decision made by Margaret Thatcher in 1986 not to launch manned missions into space from the UK.
UK Join The Space Race
The UK could be launching its very own space programme, if plans revealed today go ahead. The UK Civil Space Strategy: 2008-2012 and Beyond is a follow up document to a report by an expert working group, which proposes overturning a decision made by Margaret Thatcher in 1986 not to launch manned missions into space from the UK.
16 December 2003
Lord Sainsbury outlines three-year space strategy
Science Minister Lord Sainsbury has today unveiled the government's three-year space strategy, citing the Beagle 2 Mars lander as a "benchmark" for the UK's ambitions in space.
Lord Sainsbury outlines three-year space strategy
Science Minister Lord Sainsbury has today unveiled the government's three-year space strategy, citing the Beagle 2 Mars lander as a "benchmark" for the UK's ambitions in space.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
