I learn from the Honorary Consul of Iceland in the Maldives that the Open University at Reykjavik University, in co-operation with the Icelandic seafood instrustry is introducing two programmes exploring the key challenges facing the seafood industry today. They are: FISKUR – Executive Programme and Fishing Management.

FISKUR – Executive Programme
The three week programme will help participants to master the innovative approaches required to adapt best practices to meet today‘s unprecedented investment challenges in the seafood industry, successfully manage through the current downturn, and emerge better equipped to thrive in the global economy in the long term. The programme is composed of three main pillars: 1) Leadership Competencies, 2) Strategy and Investment Decisions and 3) Utilisation of Natural Resources. It is aimed at managers and specialists in the seafood industry who want to develop their leadership capabilities by increasing their understanding of fisheries and ocean science, economics and policy. See further information in attachment and on our website: http://www.opnihaskolinn.is/stjornmennt/althjodlegir-vidburdir-og-namskeid/fiskur-/
 
FISHING MANAGEMENT
A five day programme for officials in fishing management and fishing harbour administration exploring key challenges facing fishing management. The challenges in using and managing natural resources are immense and include ensuring that resource utilisation benefits both today‘s needs and future generations‘ interests. The key factors in responsible harvesting of marine resources are strong fisheries management and active control of fishing. The agents from the Icelandic seafood industry will introduce how Icelandic laws and regulations on fisheries management and control have served sustainable development in the field. The programme concentrates in five main areas: The Seafood Industry, Utilisation of Natural Resources, Fisheries Management, Data Collection and Control, Marine Resources and Quota Management Systems. See further information in attachment and on our website: http://www.opnihaskolinn.is/stjornmennt/althjodlegir-vidburdir-og-namskeid/fiskur-/

More detailed info on the Executive Programme and Fishing Management are attached here and here.

If you have any further questions with regard to these programmes, feel free to get in touch with the Honorary Consul of Iceland in the Maldives by calling the phone number 3334445. Alternatively you may also thread in a comment here and I can forward your querry to the Consul.

The Maldives dive-sites are a dive-masters top secret and few talk about it openly. Not for too long I guess. The talented Ahmed Zahid who has been a freelance photographer for years is working on a mega project of portraying the classic Maldives dive-sites with tips and tricks, interactive flash maps, photos and information. With a blog engine powering the project divers and dive-masters can now share knowledge and experiences. Let the learning begin from the ocean floor!

Zahid, you rock. I am thrilled and anxiously looking forward to seeing the project myself and when I have a link I will share it here and until then, bye bye.

Extinguishers banned as a fire safety hazard.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: March 11, 2008.

The case for democracy.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: February 27, 2008.

Traveller falls for holiday con twice.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: February 27, 2008.

Not 'weather' but 'when'.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: February 4, 2008

High salt 'hidden in child desserts'.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: Janurary 28, 2008.

Secret of a long life is all relative.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: January 24, 2008.

Sense of inner calm.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: January 21, 2008.

Birds facing a climate catastrophe.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: January 15, 2008.

Why costly wine 'tastes the best'.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: January 14, 2008.

Gore: US is blocking climate change deal.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: December 14, 2007.

Travellers 'bored' by carbon offsetting.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: November 28, 2007.

Pensions demystified.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: November 28, 2007.

Reclassify dope, says police chief.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: November 21, 2007.

Salt shock for lovers of pizzas.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: October 19, 2007.

Obesity or climate - which is worse?
News Type: Reader Comments
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: October 16, 2007.

Our bodies of evidence.
News Type: News
Source: METRO, UK
News Date: October 15, 2007.

Fire is the single biggest life-threatening risk in high-rise residential buildings. Chances of a small unexpected fire turning into an uncontrollable large fire are reduced in buildings by the provision of suitable fire fighting equipment (mostly fire extinguishers). Efficient/successful utilisation of fire extinguishers in fire fighting in buildings in the UK, although not newsworthy, is important now than ever. It has emerged that in the UK fire extinguishers could be removed from flats throughout the country due to safety hazard. Risk assessors in Bournemouth, UK decided that the life-saving devices encourage untrained people to fight a fire rather than leave the building (News attached). True enough that people may at times try to stay in and fight a fire that is too large, they don’t know how to correctly fight a blaze would inhale dangerous fumes.

While the Fire Safety Order of 2005 requires fire assessments be carried out to 'eliminate or reduce risk as is reasonably practical', past assessments may not have warranted specific studies on safety risks of tenants in the upper floors and the time it take for them to leave the building in an unlikely event of a fire in a lower flat (left unattended).

Also, an unattended fire, no doubt, will spread faster and cause greater damage to the building. It goes without saying; a departure from today's practice of having extinguishers will have a knock on effect on the insurance premiums and only time and the adaptation will spell the safety of the new decision.

I always archived newspaper cuts and such in areas of my study and interest; I never thought anyone would be keen in viewing them. All this changed when Shahuru, my good friend suggested that I add a news page for public viewing; so I did. Please feel free to register on this site and to download what is relevant to you from news page at http://www.abdullayasir.com/Downloads/Newscuts.aspx. Presently there are several files attached and the list includes:

~ It is appalling that it may take 80 years to achieve equal pay;
~ A rescue plan for politics;
~ Crimes and misdemeanours on public transport;
~ Danger to children from food and drink additives is exposed;
~ After 30 years of debate, fears over children's food confirmed;
~ How to bring real power to the people.

To me these were very interesting reads and hope you would enjoy them too. As time permits, I will keep adding newer ones to news page; so long as you don’t log out, the website will allow you to close and open without having to login everytime.

Shahuru in his post ‘Student discipline; should we use traditional way or British way; an appalling story anyway!’ raised concerns for us all in disciplining the young. Thus I post this bit of news as is, to enrich his discussion.

ITN - Tuesday, September 4 10:28 am

Parents face fines of up to £1,000 if their children are found roaming the streets when they have been excluded from school.

Mothers and fathers can be hit with fines of £50 if their children are found in a public place without justification in the first five days of an exclusion, under laws which came into force this week.

If they do not pay within 42 days of the fixed penalty notice being issued, parents face prosecution and a possible £1,000 fine.

The reforms also allow headteachers to require parents to sign "contracts" governing the behaviour of their children even before pupils have been excluded.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said he wanted parents to work with headteachers and take responsibility for their children's behaviour.

He said: "Good discipline and strong leadership are vital for driving up standards in our schools. But schools can only do so much in isolation. Parents have to be responsible for instilling right and wrong too."

He added: "Our measures help to build strong and supportive partnerships between parents and teachers that will create a more united front against poor behaviour.

"I want heads to engage with parents, including using parenting contracts at an early stage so that schools and parents are able to work together to prevent bad behaviour from escalating.

"It is also important that parents take a central role when a child is excluded - making sure they are at home working, rather than treating the exclusion as a holiday or an excuse to wander the streets."