Baggage handlers and check-in staff at Gatwick and Stansted airports are to strike on Bank Holiday Monday in a row over pay, unions say.At Gatwick, 318 Swissport workers will walk out for 24 hours, halting services at some airlines. A second strike is planned for Friday 29 August.The staff have rejected a 3% pay offer which the Unite union said was "an insult" and well below inflation.Workers from two unions at Stansted have also voted to strike.Unite said industrial action could spread to other airports in the coming weeks.Workers at Manchester Airport will put the decision to a vote on Monday, and further ballots are expected later at Birmingham and Newcastle airports.Unite members working for Swissport at Stansted will be joined by 30 members of the GMB union when they walk out on Monday 25 August and Friday 29.The GMB members, who work for Airfield Services screening baggage for Ryanair and easyJet, have rejected a 1.5% pay offer.Cost of livingUnite has more than 300 members at Gatwick, 72% of whom voted in favour of striking. They want to see a pay increase of more than 5%. This pay offer is an insult to professional, hard working men and women Steve Turner, Unite Airlines including Virgin Atlantic, Monarch, Thomson Fly and First Choice would be affected if the action later this month went ahead.National officer Steve Turner said: "Our members are already struggling to keep up with rising food and energy costs."This pay offer is an insult to professional, hard working men and women who have to operate in extremely difficult conditions."Our members have had enough. The liberalisation of ground handling services across UK airports has resulted in a race to the bottom which must and will stop."We will not stand back and allow labour costs to determine whether contracts are won or lost."'Minimise disruption'Swissport said it was aware that a "small number" of its staff were planning to strike.A spokesman said:... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
Pakistan's currency has hit a record low against the dollar on speculation that President Pervez Musharraf might be on the verge of resigning.The Pakistan rupee fell to 76.9 to the dollar on Friday, the fourth consecutive trading day it has hit an all-time low.The currency has weakened on fears that the president faces impeachment.Inflation in Pakistan is at its highest in 30 years, the trade deficit is widening and reserves have fallen.The value of the rupee has dropped by 23% this year."It's panic and the central bank is not doing anything," one trader told the Reuters news... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
If you are looking for a holiday home on the French Riveria, the stock of available properties just got smaller.With grounds so grand that it takes a reputed 50 gardeners to tend them, the Villa Leopolda in Villefranche-sur-Mer has been snapped up by a mystery Russian billionaire.Built by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1902, the sumptuous villa has been graced by world leaders and superstars.The previous owner, the late banking billionaire Edmond Safra is said to have entertained Ronald Reagan and Frank Sinatra there.With the credit crisis causing turmoil in the world's financial community,... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
Gold fell to below $800 an ounce for the first time since December 2007 while aluminium prices hit their lowest in some six months. Copper also fell.The price of commodities has fallen on speculation that demand will slow amid a global slowdown.Another factor has been the stronger dollar, which has reached a half-year high against the euro.As economists see improved prospects for the US economy, the dollar becomes more attractive as an investment.And as the dollar becomes more attractive, particularly in times of crisis, gold has lost its lustre, as have other precious metals.And industrial... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
The output of US factories, mines and power plants rose by 0.2% in July, driven by a 3.6% rise in the production of motor vehicles compared with June.The growth was faster than had been expected, but slower than the previous month, when output grew by 0.4%.While manufacturing performed well in July, the output of electricity and gas plants fell by 1.9% after a strong increase the previous month.The US housing housing slump also resulted in lower furniture production.Analysts said the rise in vehicle production and parts compared to June was more to do with the reopening of a major parts plant ... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
A campaign has been launched to stress to cohabiting partners that they do not have the same rights as married couples if they separate or one of them dies.Two million couples cohabit in England and Wales with one in four children being born to unmarried couples.The Ministry of Justice campaign is urging couples to be aware of their rights when they start living together.A survey suggested that half of those asked wrongly believed that common law marriage was a recognised legal status."People living together should not assume that they will automatically have the same rights as married... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
Six people are being questioned by police over the murder of a British doctor shot dead on the last day of her honeymoon in Antigua.It is believed those being questioned over the killing of Catherine ... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
A body has been found in a burning car at a beauty spot in County Down.The vehicle was reported on fire in Crawfordsburn Country Park at about midday on Thursday. The body was then discovered inside the vehicle.Police have not said if the dead person was a man or a woman. The cause of death is not known and a post mortem is to be carried out on Friday.Councillor Alex Easton MLA described the body find as "shocking and horrifying"."This community is reeling in shock at this traumatic news in an area known for its outstanding beauty," said Mr Easton, who is also chairman of the local policing partnership."I urge anyone who can assist the police to do so forthwith."Officers remain at the scene and part of the park has been cordoned off. View More » Comenta la noticia. »
Britain's Andy Murray saw off Stanislas Wawrinka in three sets to set up a Toronto Masters quarter-final against defending champion Novak Djokovic.Ninth seed Murray beat the 10th-ranked Wawrinka 6-2 0-6 6-4, despite losing seven straight games at one point.Djokovic earlier beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-4 6-4, while former champion Andy Roddick lost 6-4 4-6 6-4 to Croatian Marin Cilic.Rafael Nadal takes on Igor Andreev late on Thursday.And France's Gilles Simon, who caused a major shock with victory over Roger Federer on Wednesday, beat Jose Acasuso 6-3 6-4.Murray, 21, began and ended his match in style, after suffering an alarming mid-match slump that saw him drop the second set to love.He broke twice in succession at the start of the match, with his forehand particularly impressive, ... View More » Comenta la noticia. »
The Team Columbia rider Marcus Burghardt, who helped Britain's Mark Cavendish to four stage wins, today earned some glory of his own with victory in the 18th stage of the Tour de France. Race leader Carlos Sastre finished in the peloton about seven minutes behind Burghardt and retains possession of the yellow jersey. The main group also included the Australian rider Cadel Evans, who remains favourite for overall success.
The German Burghardt sprinted clear of Spanish rider Carlos Barredo in the final stretch of the stage from Bourg D'Oisans to Saint Etienne after the two had led a breakaway from the peloton. The French duo of Roman Feillu and Christophe Le Mevel, as well as Spaniard Mikel Astarloza, comprised the chasing pack.
Liverpool have made their sixth signing of the summer with the capture of the French striker David Ngog from Paris St Germain. The 19-year-old has signed a four-year deal at Anfield and follows Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena, Diego Cavalieri, Vincent Weijl and Emmanuel Mendy to the club.
The Anfield club described the forward as "one of the brightest young talents in French football" and "lightening quick", although Ngog, the cousin of the former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, managed just one goal in 18 matches for PSG last season. The fee is reported to be £1.5m.
Ngog has played for the France U-16, U-17 and U-19 sides and scored twice against England U-19s last year. He is expected to challenge for a place in the Liverpool first team...
Internazionale will today complete the signing of the Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari in a deal worth over £11m, according to reports in Italy. Gazzetta dello Sport claimed this morning that Inter had agreed to pay Portsmouth an initial £10.98m (€14m) for Muntari, a Ghana international, though this fee could rise depending on performance related criteria.
Muntari, who is believed to have agreed a five-year deal with Inter, is expected to arrive in Milan either this ...
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