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Shamed Former Tory MP Julie Kirkbride Lands £100 000 Lobbying Job

2021-01-01T11:30:34Z

BrockWormald:

Shamed former Tory MP Julie Kirkbride lands £100,000 lobbying job By [/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Jason+Groves+for+the+Daily+Mail Jason Groves for the Daily Mail] Updated: 16:41 GMT, 24 May 2010 [ ] [ ] [#socialLinks ] [/news/article-1281062/Shamed-Tory-MP-Julie-Kirkbride-lands-100-000-lobbying-job.html#comments View comments] Plum job: Former Tory MP Julie Kirkbride will earn £100,000 as a lobbyist Former Tory MP Julie Kirkbride has landed a lucrative job in the lobbying industry days after being forced to quit the Commons because of public anger over her expenses. Miss Kirkbride, 49, was appointed as a consultant to the Westminster-based lobbying firm Tetra Strategy on a salary rumoured to be approaching £100,000. Last year her former [http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/?q=MP%20husband MP husband] Andrew Mackay, who was also embroiled in the expenses scandal, landed a six-figure salary post as ‘international consultant' to the lobbying giant Burston-Marsteller. The appointments are a potential embarrassment for David Cameron who has already warned his ministers to guard against attempts by lobbyists to influence policy on behalf of their clients. In a speech in February this year the Tory leader warned that lobbying was ‘the next big scandal waiting to happen'. Miss Kirkbride and Mr Mackay faced a public outcry during last year's expenses scandal after it emerged they had managed to claim lavish expenses on both their London and constituency homes at the same time. Between them the couple were ordered to pay back more than £60,000 after details of their arrangement were made public. The couple both faced angry public backlashes in their constituencies and stood down at the election. Now they are both looking to cash in the contacts picked up during their years on the public payroll. Tetra Strategy said Miss Kirkbride, a former journalist and one-time shadow culture minister, would bring a ‘wealth of Parliamentary experience' to the firm, who listed clients include Innocent Drinks and the School Food Trust quango. In a statement the company said: [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html tour du lịch hạ long] ‘Julie will enhance our already strong political diversity across the three main parties enabling us to offer the very best advice to our clients.' Miss Kirkbride is believed to have been looking for a well-paid lobbying job for [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html tour du lịch hạ long] several months before she stood down as an MP. However she managed to avoid getting caught up in a sting operation by Channel Four's Despatches programme earlier this year, which filmed former Cabinet ministers Stephen Byers, Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt boasting of their influence. Miss Kirkbride was approached by the fake lobbyists but smelled a rat and tipped off other Tory MPs involved. Lobbyists have been desperately seeking well-connected Tories in recent months in the belief that they will be able to open doors with the incoming Government. Earlier this year Mr Cameron hit out at the revolving door between politics and the lobbying industry - warning that it was damaging trust in politics. He said: 'We all know how it works. The lunches, the hospitality, the quiet word in your ear, the ex-ministers and ex-advisers for hire, helping big business find the right way to get its way. 'I believe that secret corporate lobbying, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html kynghidongduong.vn] like the expenses scandal, goes to the heart of why people are so fed up with politics.'

Motor Racing-Hamilton apos;gutted apos; After Positive COVID-19 Test

2021-01-01T03:12:07Z

BrockWormald:

By Abhishek Takle MANAMA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said he was devastated after testing positive for COVID-19 and being ruled out of Sunday's penultimate race of the season in Bahrain. It will be the first time the 35[http://www.msnbc.com/search/-year-old%20Mercedes -year-old Mercedes] driver has missed a race in an F1 career that started with McLaren in 2007. The sport's most successful driver of all time, with a record 95 wins and 98 pole positions, said on social media that he had tested negative three times in the past week but woke up on Monday with mild symptoms. The Briton said he then requested another test which came back positive and he immediately started a 10-day self-isolation, ruling out the Sakhir Grand Prix and raising doubts about the Abu Dhabi finale on the following weekend. "I'm gutted not to be able to race this weekend but my priority is to follow the protocols and advice to protect others," he said. "I'm really lucky that I feel OK with only mild symptoms and will do my best to stay fit and healthy." Hamilton said he and his team had taken all possible precautions and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html kynghidongduong.vn] followed all regulations to stay safe since the season started. Mercedes said he tested negative at the circuit on Sunday afternoon but he had been informed on Monday that "a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive." The Briton wrapped up his record-equalling seventh title in Turkey last month and picked up his 11th win of the season in Bahrain on Sunday. Mercedes have already won the constructors' title for an unprecedented seventh year in a row. Hamilton will not now be able to match the record for the most wins in a single season. Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel share that mark with 13. Hamilton was also on a record run of 48 successive points finishes and has started 265 races in a row. REPLACEMENT DRIVER Mercedes said they would announce a replacement driver for Sakhir in due course. Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, who races for the Mercedes Formula E team and had been scheduled to fly to Bahrain even before Hamilton's positive result, and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez are the team's reserve drivers. Briton George Russell, who races for Mercedes-powered Williams, is also on their books. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in October that every precaution was being taken to shield Hamilton and team mate Valtteri Bottas from the pandemic, with internal debriefs and engineering meetings taking place via video call. Hamilton has stayed in his motorhome at most circuits, with races confined to Europe before the final Middle Eastern triple-header, and returning to Monaco afterwards where physio Angela Cullen forms part of his protective 'bubble'. He posted video on Instagram on Nov. 22, a week after winning the title, of himself playing tennis with father Anthony, however. Formula One has seen a clutch of high-profile COVID-19 cases, with Red Bull sporting director [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html tour du lịch hạ long] Jonathan Wheatley testing positive last week and Williams acting team principal Simon Roberts missing the Turkish Grand Prix. Both Racing Point drivers, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, and team owner Lawrence Stroll tested positive earlier in the year. Formula One started a shortened 17-race season in July after the Australian opener in March was cancelled when a McLaren employee tested positive. The sport has strict rules in place to try to keep the novel coronavirus at bay. Personnel cannot access the paddock without a negative result and are tested every five days. Teams also do their own tests. (Additional reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Peter Rutherford and Christian Radnedge)

Olympics-Olympic Rings Illuminated Upon Return To Tokyo Bay

2020-12-31T17:58:46Z

BrockWormald: Created page with " By Jack Tarrant TOKYO, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The Olympic rings monument was reinstalled in Tokyo Bay on Tuesday, after being removed in August, as organisers ramp up p..."

By Jack Tarrant TOKYO, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The Olympic rings monument was reinstalled in Tokyo Bay on Tuesday, after being removed in August, as organisers ramp up preparations for next year's postponed Summer Games. The rings were later illuminated and the neighbouring Rainbow Bridge lit up in a multi-coloured display, as organisers looked to provide a symbol that the rearranged Games can go ahead safely next year. However, the return of the monument, which stands 15.3m tall and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html tour hạ long] 32.6m wide and was originally installed in January, was overshadowed by requests from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that [http://rt.com/search/everywhere/term/entertainment%20establishments/ entertainment establishments] and [http://www.fool.com/search/solr.aspx?q=restaurants%20close restaurants close] at 2200 JST until Dec. 17. Because of this, following the rings' brief illumination on Tuesday, they will go dark until the restrictions are lifted. However, the return of the rings should send a signal that the Games are indeed getting closer, Tokyo metropolitan government planning director Atsushi Yanashimizu told Reuters. "Since the symbol is here, we want Tokyo residents and also internationally to feel that the Games are coming very soon," Yanashimizu said. "Also, we want everyone to feel we will have the Tokyo 2020 Games definitely next year." The monument will remain in place next to Rainbow Bridge until the Olympics finish in August before being replaced with the Paralympics logo. The Olympics were pushed back by a year in March because of the novel coronavirus pandemic and organisers have yet to provide a figure for how much the postponement will cost. On Monday, Kyodo News reported that organisers estimated the cost of COVID-19 countermeasures for [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html kynghidongduong.vn] the Games would run to around 100 billion yen ($960 million). (Editing by Peter Rutherford and Christian Radnedge)

Best Firepits For 2020: Tiki BioLite Solo Stove And More

2020-12-30T14:55:59Z

BrockWormald: Created page with "id="article-body" class="row" section="article-body"> Times are [/how-to/two-vaccines-for-co..."

id="article-body" class="row" section="article-body"> Times are [/how-to/two-vaccines-for-covid-19-may-be-ready-by-the-end-of-2020-heres-what-to-know/ stressful] and winter is coming. But there are real activities you can do to [/health/im-a-dad-who-skateboards-to-find-some-sanity-under-quarantine/ decompress, some of them surprising]. Taking daily walks is one way. Another is to unwind in front of a crackling campfire. You don't need to hike into the woods to enjoy this cozy orange glow. Nor do you need to build a permanent firepit from heavy materials like stone or brick. Instead, get a firepit that's portable. These products are sold by lots of retailers, including Lowe's, [/tags/amazon/ Amazon] and Home Depot. Plus, many firepit manufacturers sell their wares directly. In the market for a firepit? We're taking a bunch of portable pits for a spin to find out which one is best. Brian Bennett/CNET These [https://knoji.com/search/?query=transportable%20fireplaces transportable fireplaces] range widely in price, size and weight. There are inexpensive $60 models and high-performance pits that'll set you back as much as $350. You can even spend $1,500 or more on fancy propane-burning firepits. Some firepits, like the Solo Stove Yukon shown here, are large -- great for gathering around to roast marshmallows. Brian Bennett/CNET In this roundup, we focus on genuine, wood-fueled firepits. You can use them for heat, and also for cooking food, including by grilling. Most importantly, they're a great way to roast marshmallows for tasty s'mores. The models on this list are either bestsellers, highly ranked or worthy challengers from established outdoor brands. We tested them to determine their strengths and weaknesses. If you need help choosing a firepit that matches your needs, you've come to the right place. I'll update this list periodically. [ The best firepit overall] [ Tiki Brand Fire Pit] [ ] Brian Bennett/CNET Our favorite firepit on this list is made by Tiki, a company that began with the familiar Tiki bamboo torch over 60 years ago. Now, Tiki offers a firepit that's large, sturdy, and attractive. Priced almost $300 more than its budget rivals, its performance, ease of use and [http://www.modernmom.com/?s=superior%20style superior style] make this pit worth the investment. The steel and stained-wood pit doesn't just look good. The Tiki Brand Fire Pit has a clever airflow system that recycles hot smoke back into the fire chamber. During our testing, it was easy to ignite, firing up in about 5 minutes and fully burning in 15. It also generated far less smoke than the other firepits we tested, especially after its logs caught fully, usually at about the 15-minute mark. Only the Solo Stove Ranger burned wood with less smoke emission, its fuel burning fiercely in 5 minutes. The Tiki Fire Pit's logs burned efficiently as well, lasting for hours. Because of its large (16 inches in diameter) mouth, it's easier to share the fire with multiple people. The Solo Stove Ranger is smaller by comparison, its metal fire ring is 10 inches in diameter. Kids gathering around to roast s'mores need to be careful, though: All surfaces of the Tiki firepit, including its metal lip, are scalding hot after the fire is lit. It also takes time to cool after the flames die down. We do appreciate the Tiki Brand pit's removable ash tray. It makes for easy cleanup. The pit puts out a generous amount of heat; while that's perhaps not ideal for hot summer nights, it's excellent when the temperature dips during the fall and winter. Finally, tpping the scales at 45 pounds, this firepit is heavy. Think twice before you position it, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html kynghidongduong.vn] and get help when you do. [ $350 at Tiki Brand] [ The best smokeless firepit] [ Solo Stove Yukon] [ ] Brian Bennett/CNET Solo Stove firepits have gained an avid following in recent years, and the company's newest product, the Solo Stove Yukon, is its biggest and best yet. With a top side that measures 27 inches across, and a mouth 23 inches in diameter, the Yukon is large enough to accept full-size firewood logs. Despite the Yukon's wide footprint, its stainless-steel body gives it a sleek appearance. The Yukon shares the same sophisticated airflow system you'll find on other Solo Stove products. According to Solo Stove, these vents help drive a continuous supply of oxygen to its fire. In our experience, the Yukon delivers performance just as good as its smaller cousin, the Solo Stove Ranger, but on a larger scale. The Yukon's fire starts fast: Its logs fully caught in just 5 minutes. Once they caught, they burned for hours. This pit was efficient too, consistently consuming all of our test firewood logs. At the end of the night, there was little solid debris to speak of, merely a few bits of charcoal and ash. It produces a lot less smoke than the other firepits we've tested here, save the Solo Pit Ranger. You can also order the Yukon with a rain cover ($50) and a metal stand ($70) for extra cash or as part of a bundle. Because the pit weighs 38 pounds, we don't recommend moving it often. Also, as with other high-performance firepits, kids (and adults) need to be careful around the Yukon. In addition to the intense heat from the fire itself, the Yukon's steel surface heats to burning temperatures fast. [ $400 at Solo Stove] [ The best portable firepit] [ BioLite FirePit] [ ] David Carnoy/CNET The FirePit, made by Brooklyn, New York-based BioLite, weighs under 20 pounds and is built for portability. Measuring 27 by 13 by 15.8 inches, it's relatively long and narrow. However, it holds a little more wood than you'd think, with room for up to four cordwood logs. You can either use it as a standard firepit or as a backyard grill. In firepit mode, you lower the fuel rack to the bottom of the pit. To grill over hot wood coals, or charcoal briquettes if you prefer, raise the rack to its highest position. BioLite offers a bundle with a grill grate, which sits over everything. The grill lit up fast, in less than 5 minutes, and was fully burning in less than 10. The FirePit has a couple of signature features, one being patented airflow technology. A motorized fan drives air to the fire box. You can also control it using via an iOS or Android app on a phone using Bluetooth. A mesh body lets you see flames through the FirePit from any angle. Battery life for the fan is good, with up to 24 hours at the low setting, 10 hours on medium and 5 hours on high. The airflow technology also helps create an almost smoke-free fire. The FirePit's legs fold up when you want to take the grill on the go, plus the pit comes with a handy rain cover. A removable ash tray makes cleaning up easy. All in all, this is a compelling little firepit for someone who doesn't want (or can't have) a permanent pit always eating up patio space. [ $187 at BioLite] [ The best firepit value] [ Garden Treasures 29.5-inch Wood-Burning Fire Pit] [ ] Brian Bennett/CNET This firepit from Garden Treasures proves you don't need to spend big bucks to enjoy a backyard campfire. Despite its low price, this pit is nice and wide (29.5 inches in diameter). It also comes with a mesh lid to keep sparks at bay. It lacks an advanced airflow system, however, so fires in this pit generate a lot of smoke. And its steel frame isn't stainless, so leaving the pit out in the elements will invite rust. That said, we were able to get a self-sustaining fire lit in about 5 minutes. Its ignition time is comparable to those of premium firepits such as the Solo Stove Ranger and Tiki Brand Fire Pit. Those products burn their fuel more efficiently, leaving less unconsumed firewood and ash to clean up in the morning. Still, the Garden Treasures pit does get the job done on a tight budget. [ $59 at Lowe's] Others we tested The Pop-Up Fire Pit is very portable but makes a lot of smoke. Brian Bennett/CNET [ ] The most portable firepit in this roundup is the Pop-Up Pit. Its collapsible design lets you assemble it and break it down quickly. It also uses a heat shield so it won't scorch the ground below. The pit offers a large (2-foot-square) burning surface for your fire, too. Since its frame is constructed from stainless steel, the Pop-Up Pit is rust-resistant. However, because the pit is so large and has low walls, it creates a lot of smoke. [ Enlarge Image] Brian Bennett/CNET [ ] Squat, cylindrical, compact and made from stainless steel, the Solo Stove Ranger appears simple at first glance. Tucked away inside this pit, though, is the same sophisticated airflow system that its larger sibling, the Solo Stove Yukon, has. The system is designed to enable fire in the pit to burn hotter and consume more of its wood fuel. We can confirm that the Ranger delivers on these promises. It starts fast, with its logs aflame in just 5 minutes, and it burns for hours. The fires we started in the Ranger also burned with incredible ferocity. The flames inside the pit focused into an impressive rolling vortex. Despite the conflagration, the Ranger emitted very little smoke. The Ranger does have a few drawbacks. Its compact size means it can't accept standard 15-inch firewood logs. It's also not the best for large groups or families. More than two people roasting marshmallows at once quickly becomes a crowd. The Kingso 22-inch firepit is small and has poor airflow. Brian Bennett/CNET [ ] Though it's a bestseller on Amazon, we don't recommend purchasing the Kingso Outdoor Fire Pit. Its small size (22 inches in diameter) feels cramped. And since airflow throughout the unit is poor, we consistently had difficulty both starting fires and keeping them lit inside this pit. It doesn't come with a protective cover, either. The Hampton Bay Windgate 40-inch Dia Fire Pit is massive and built from heavy steel. Unfortunately, it suffers from poor airflow so its flames often die out. Brian Bennett/CNET [ ] The Hampton Bay Windgate is by far the largest firepit in this group. It has a massive 40-inch-diameter bowl, roomy enough for big groups to gather around. As the pit weighs in at a substantial 60 pounds and is constructed from heavy-duty steel, it takes a lot of effort to set up the pit where you want it. Unfortunately, the Windgate suffers from poor ventilation. As a result, fires we started in the pit consistently died out in 15 to 20 minutes. That makes it difficult to recommend this model. [ Enlarge Image] A good firepit will ignite in minutes and stay lit for hours. Brian Bennett/CNET How we evaluated them To test each firepit, we used the same fuel, [ Simple Simon Premium Hardwood] sourced from a local Lowe's hardware store. For a consistent amount, we selected three split log lengths roughly 15 inches [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html tour du lịch hạ long]. We then stacked the logs together so at least some portion of each was touching the others. I used Diamond Strike-A-Fire fires starters to ignite these pits. Brian Bennett/CNET To ignite each pit, we used [ ] fire starters that were available at our neighborhood Kroger supermarket. One of these starter matches should be all that's required to get a firepit's fire burning. We then logged how long it took to establish a fully sustained fire. A good firepit will fully ignite in five to 10 minutes. A pit with poor airflow and design will take a lot longer, or even flame out after 15 minutes no matter how well you've stacked your wood. Additionally, we made note of how much smoke escaped each pit. Ideally, a firepit will generate a lot of flame and little smoke. A quality firepit will also burn fuel efficiently, leaving little solid material remaining once its fire burns out naturally. CNET Smart Home and Appliances Get smart home reviews and ratings, video reviews, buying guides, prices and comparisons from CNET. More outdoor fun [/news/essential-camp-cooking-gear/ Essential camp cooking gear makes the great outdoors delicious] [/news/plant-delivery-services-and-garden-subscriptions-compared/ 11 plant delivery services and garden subscriptions compared: Bloomscape, The Sill, My Garden Box and more] [/roadshow/news/best-rv-rental-companies/ Best RV rental companies in 2020] [#comments Comments] [/tags/amazon/ Amazon] [/tags/grilling/ Grilling] [/smart-home/ Notification on Notification off Smart Home]

User:BrockWormald

2020-12-30T14:55:45Z

BrockWormald: Created page with "I'm Brock and I live with my husband and our two children in Cernobbio Grand Hotel Villa D'este, in the CO south part. My hobbies are Equestrianism, Stone collecting and Drivi..."

I'm Brock and I live with my husband and our two children in Cernobbio Grand Hotel Villa D'este, in the CO south part. My hobbies are Equestrianism, Stone collecting and Driving. My site - [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-vinh-ha-long-ha-noi-gia-re-nhat-dich-vu-tot-nhat.html tour du lịch hạ long]