Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) is backing a controversial £971m bid to acquire a fleet of 70 Elizabeth Line trains from Transport for London (TfL), City A.M. can reveal. The asset management giant is stumping up £147m in equity investment to Rock Rail, a rolling stock infrastructure company that finances new trains, with funding proposed from unnamed international investors, according to a confidential document seen by this newspaper. Rock Rail will contribute £4.9m through the re-investment of the success fee, while the remaining £819m will be funded through long-term debt it issues. Rock Rail, which entered into a similar agreement with South Western franchise operators First Group and MTR last year, is going head-to-head with investment firm Equitix for the TfL contract. In January, TfL announced plans to sell and lease back its new Elizabeth Line fleet in order to raise money for new Piccadilly Line trains. The Crossrail fleet will be leased to Rail for … [Read more...] about Exclusive: Aberdeen Standard backs controversial £1bn bid for Crossrail fleet
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Sogeri teachers complete standards based curriculum training
MORE than 70 teachers from nine primary schools in the Sogeri catchment of Central Province have been trained on the revised standards-based curriculum (SBC) being implemented by the Department of Education. Supported by Australia in partnership with the Central Province education office, the week-long program at Sirinumu Dam primary school targeted elementary and junior primary school teachers. Central Province senior standards officer and co-facilitator, Patrick Dimsock said the training program aimed to prepare and upskill teachers on revised teaching methods using the SBC structure. “Teachers need to understand the basics of the SBC before they can implement it in their schools,” said Mr Dimsock. “This will mean all students will be taught at the same standard and receive the same level of learning.” The Department of Education re-introduced SBC in 2015 to replace the outcome based education system. SBC sets clear basic education standards covering the … [Read more...] about Sogeri teachers complete standards based curriculum training
The Weekly Standard, a critic of Trump on the right, is shutting down
Aamer Madhani and Christal Hayes USA TODAY Published 2:02 PM EST Dec 15, 2018 WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump celebrated the folding of the Weekly Standard, a once-influential conservative magazine that has been sharply critical of his administration, writing on Twitter that the publications was "pathetic." "The pathetic and dishonest Weekly Standard, run by failed prognosticator Bill Kristol (who, like many others, never had a clue), is flat broke and out of business," he said in a series of Saturday tweets that criticized the media. "Too bad. May it rest in peace!" In another post on Saturday morning, Trump attacked the news media as "dishonest" and argued that positive stories always ended up with a negative spin. The publication announced Friday that it will publish its final issue next week, marking an end to the 23-year-old magazine. The magazine, founded by William Kristol and Fred Barnes under News Corp., published its first issue on September 18, … [Read more...] about The Weekly Standard, a critic of Trump on the right, is shutting down
Georgian Patrol Police staff trained by US agency to launch new working standard
Georgian Patrol Police staff have been trained by employees of the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to launch a new working standard with simplified procedures at incident scenes, Trend reports referring to Agenda.ge. The Georgian Interior Ministry has stated that the course went on several months. The new working standard will simplify mandatory procedures for patrol-inspectors at accident scenes and drivers will have to spend less time there. The patrol-inspector will be tasked to write only fine and alcohol consumption documents at the scene. This will hinder the traffic movement only for a while and there will be no need of sending additional crew,” the ministry says. The ministry reports that the innovation will initially concern only administrative offences. The Interior Ministry says that the patrol police reform also includes the provision of an American model, when patrolling is carried out by a single and not by a standard two-men crew. … [Read more...] about Georgian Patrol Police staff trained by US agency to launch new working standard
Blackpool boss will not tolerate a drop in standards
Terry McPhillips insists Blackpool cannot afford to allow their standards to drop if they’re to compete for a top six spot in League One this season. The Seasiders strengthened their play-off credentials with an impressive win against top six rivals Charlton Athletic last weekend.It leaves McPhillips’ men in eighth and just one point off Barnsley in that final play-off spot ahead of today’s visit to Oxford United.As Blackpool approach the halfway stage in League One, McPhillips provided his assessment on how the Seasiders have done so far.“I think we’ve done alright,” the Pool boss said.“We could have picked up some more points, some of the draws could have been wins but I’m reasonably pleased. But we’re striving to do better.“It was a hell of a win against Charlton last week and then they go to (league leaders) Portsmouth on the Tuesday and win. You think ‘wow’ because it sounds like they deserved it … [Read more...] about Blackpool boss will not tolerate a drop in standards