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A former top civil servant at the Home Office has settled his employment tribunal claim against the government. Sir Philip Rutnam resigned from his role as the department's permanent secretary last year, amid bullying allegations against Priti Patel . Announcing his departure, Sir Philip accused the home secretary of a "vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign" against him. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player November 2020: 'I'm sorry that my behaviour upset people' Ms Patel has rejected all claims of bullying that have been made against her. Sir Philip, who was claiming "constructive dismissal", said in a statement released through the FDA union: "I am pleased to say that the government has today settled the claims that I brought against them and which were due to be heard in an employment tribunal in September." Advertisement He added: "This settlement resolves my own case. The FDA is continuing to … [Read more...] about Sir Philip Rutnam: Former top Home Office civil servant settles employment tribunal claim against government

Brazil registered a record number of deaths for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, with 1,910 fatalities. With a surge in cases pushing health systems to the brink in many areas, Brazil has recorded a total of 259,271 deaths, marking the second-highest death toll in the world, after the United States. "For the first time since the pandemic began, we are seeing a deterioration across the entire country," public health institute Fiocruz said before the latest figures were published. "The situation is alarming." Brazil had recorded a record 24-hour tally of deaths on Tuesday, too, at 1,641. Watch video 03:04 Share Virus runs rampant in Brazil Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3py8I Brazil: Politization of pandemic compounds crisis Europe The prevalence of infections in England has dropped since January, but … [Read more...] about Coronavirus digest: Brazil reports second straight day of record deaths

SPACEX is closing in on the latest launch of its Starship rocket, which the firm hopes to use to carry astronauts to Mars in 2024. The Starship prototype SN10 could fire high into the sky from a launchpad in Texas as early as today. In a recent tweet, Billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the ship's launch window would open at 9am ET (2pm GMT) on March 3. Flight restrictions announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reveal that the company has three days to complete the flight. Residents near SpaceX's Starship facility in the town of Boca Chica say that they have been advised to evacuate their homes ahead of the launch. Should the launch go ahead, it would mark the third high-altitude flight and landing conducted by a Starship rocket. There's a lot of interest surrounding the launch after two recent flights were engulfed in flames after exploding upon landing. This flight, however, will be different. Both of SN10's predecessors - SN9 and SN8 - … [Read more...] about Elon Musk’s Mars mission to colonise Red Planet starts’ TODAY’ with SpaceX Starship launch

A HIGH-TECH capsule that could one day take astronauts to the Moon has been unveiled by a US company building space tech for Nasa. Alabama military firm Dynetics revealed its first full-scale model of the lander this week as part of its bid to partner with Nasa on its Artemis mission, which plans to put man on the lunar surface in 2024. The military outfit is one of three companies contracted by Nasa to come up with lander ideas for Artemis. Dynetics said the model, located in Huntsville, Alabama, will be used to test the prototype vehicle, dubbed the Human Landing System. "Our team is pleased to bring this system to life," the firm's Kim Doering said. "Our reusable, sustainable approach is ready to support a safe and successful hardware delivery for Nasa's mission." US President Donald Trump last year urged Nasa to accelerate its latest moon-landing plans by four years to 2024. The request came a few months ahead of the 50th anniversary of the first lunar … [Read more...] about Nasa unveils NEW lunar lander that could put astronauts back on the Moon in 2024

Nestled amongst rolling hills of English countryside, Porton Down's stunning surroundings give little hint at the deadly secrets it holds. The armed guards and police surrounding the high-containment scientific facility in Wiltshire however, certainly do. Having opened in 1916 in response to Germany's creation of Chlorine Gas during WWI, the UK developed its first 'War Experimental Station' - a top secret government laboratory that has since housed some of the world's most deadly substances. From vials of plague, where a few drops alone could kill hundreds of thousands, to coronavirus variants being tested for transmission rates and vaccine response - the 7,000 acre site, better known as Porton Down, is one of the most secure and secretive in the country. And while the Chemical Weapons Convention saw a ban on the production and stockpiling of deadly pathogens in 1963, Porton Down is the only place in the UK permitted to create nerve agents - such as Anthrax, Chlorine Gas and … [Read more...] about Inside UK’s top-secret Porton Down lab where plague, Covid and nerve agents are held