Author: Whitestone Chambers

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women everywhere. It is a celebration of women’s rights. The first International Women’s Day gathering was in 1911 and was supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.

It is difficult to say when International Women’s Day began. It can be traced to 1908, when over 15, 000 women marched in New York City demanding voting rights, better pay and shorter working hours. In 1910, Clara Zetkin, leader of the women’s office for the Social democratic party in Germany proposed the idea that every country should celebrate on the same day ‘Woman’s Day’.

It was a time when, in the UK, woman weren’t actually considered to fall under the category of ‘people’ by the legal profession. In 1913 In Bebb v The Law Society, the Court of Appeal ruled that women could not be solicitors. Section 2 of the Solicitors Act 1843 provided that “No person shall act as an Attorney or Solicitor […] unless such Person shall after the passing of this Act be admitted and enrolled and otherwise duly qualified as an Attorney or Solicitor, pursuant to the Directions and Regulations of this Act.” Gwyneth Bebb had applied to the Law Society to sit preliminary examinations, with a view to becoming a solicitor to which she had been refused. In summary the verdict was, no woman had ever been a solicitor before so, clearly, the Act wasn’t intended to include women. Lord Justice Swinfen Eady concluded that ‘if there is to be any change from the ancient practice, it is a change which must be effected by Parliament, and the law must be altered’. Thankfully, there has been great changes from the position in 1913 re-enforced by the Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

Eliza Orme was the first woman to gain a law degree in 1888 but at this time females were still not allowed to be admitted as solicitors. Only in 1919 did the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act come into force amending the Law with respect to disqualifications on account of sex, letting woman become lawyers. Dr Ivy Williams was the first woman to be called to the Bar in 1922. She joined Inner Temple as a student in 1920. Dr Williams never practiced, but she was the first woman to teach law at University. Helena Normanton became the first woman to practise as a barrister in England. At first her application to Middle Temple in 1918 was refused, but after the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act came into force, she was admitted to Middle Temple in 1922.

International Woman’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women can be recognised for their achievements in economic, legal and political spheres. The world can appreciate the significant changes in women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality. Great improvements have been made but a lot more remains to be done.

For more information, please visit
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Whitestone Chambers ©
8 March 2019
www.whitestonechambers.com

Lithium-ion batteries

The advent of the smartphone and tablet devices in the last decade has led to a sharp rise in the number of portable electronic devices that passengers are carrying on planes.

Most personal electronic devices use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.  A fault or damage to a lithium-ion battery increases the risk that the battery will short circuit and catch fire.  As a lithium-ion battery ages, the risk of a fault with the battery increases.  Therefore, the risk of the battery short-circuiting and catching fire also increases.

The increase in the number of personal electronic devices being carried by passengers increase the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire on a plane.

While lithium-ion battery fires are still relatively rare, they are increasing.  The Federal Aviation Administration in the United States documents 225 incidents of smouldering, fire or explosion of lithium-ion batteries since 1991.

A total of 81 of these incidents took place in 2017 and 2018.  That represents more than a third of the total lithium-ion battery incidents in relation to smouldering, fire or explosion that the FAA documents have taken place since 1991.

A fire in the confined space of an aircraft cabin is potentially catastrophic.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO QUELL A LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRE?

The use of a Halon Class D fire extinguisher is generally considered the safest and most effective way to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire.

Water can then be used to cool the device and to stop the fire spreading.

Concerns have been expressed that high concentrations of Halon in a confined space like an aircraft cabin could have adverse health impacts for passengers and staff on the plane.  However, this risk is generally outweighed by the toxic smoke of a lithium-ion battery fire and toxic smoke that may be given off by other material in the cabin that catches on fire.

More recently, it has been reported that some airlines have issued cabin staff with protective gloves and air proof bags in a bid to control a lithium-ion battery fire.  The idea is that a device that is overheating or has caught fire can be handled with a protective glove and placed into an airtight bag where the fire is deprived of oxygen.

Attempting to bring a lithium-ion battery fire under control in this way carries two distinct risks.  The first is that the device may explode, showering the person handling the device with molten shrapnel.  The second is that the protective bag itself may potentially catch fire.  The use of a halon fire extinguisher is generally preferred to this method and is the most effective way to bring a lithium-ion battery fire under control.

© 2019 Ben Symons

www.whitestonechambers.com

law@whitestonechambers.com

Blanche v easyJet – lifting the veil on ATC decisions?

  1. The Court of Appeal confirms that compensation under Regulation 261/2004 is not payable by carriers when delays/cancellations caused by air traffic control 1. On 6 February 2019, the Court of Appeal (“CoA”) handed down judgment in the case of Daniel Blanche v easyJet Airline Company Limited [2019] EWCA Civ 69 (“Blanche”).
  2. The case concerned whether a court, in determining a claim for flight delay/cancellation compensation pursuant to EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 (“the Regulation”), needed to examine the underlying reasons behind a decision made by air traffic control (“ATC”).

Facts of the case

  1. The appellant/claimant was booked to travel with the respondent/defendant from Brussels (“BRU”) to London Gatwick (“LGW”) on 10 October 2014 (“the flight”). The flight departed late and arrived into Brussels 5 hours and 42 minutes after its scheduled time of arrival.
  2. The aircraft scheduled to provide the flight was to first operate the outbound sector from LGW to BRU, leaving a 30-minute turnaround before the flight was scheduled to depart BRU.
  3. However, there were thunderstorms at LGW and ATC at LGW suspended all eastbound departures from LGW, known as an air traffic management decision (“ATMD”). The aircraft eventually arrived into BRU to operate the flight back to LGW. The delay to the flight in question was therefore a knock-on delay from the delay to the outbound LGW-BRU flight.
  4. At the County Court at Luton, at first instance DJ Richard Clarke dismissed the claim for delay compensation on the basis that easyJet had demonstrated that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances within the meaning of Article 5(3) of the Regulation.
  5. On appeal, HHJ Melissa Clarke dismissed the claimant’s appeal, holding that the district judge had adopted the correct approach to Recital 15 and Article 5(3) of the Regulation on the evidence.

CoA decision

  1. On appeal from HHJ Melissa Clarke’s decision, Coulson LJ, giving the only reasoned judgment (with which King LJ and Sir Ernest Ryder agreed), resoundingly rejected the arguments put forward by the appellant.

Examining the underlying reason for the ATMD?

  1. Coulson LJ gave three reasons for rejecting the appellant’s primary ground of appeal that what mattered was not the ATMD to suspend all eastbound flights from LGW but the underlying reason for that ATMD, namely the thunderstorms.
  2. Firstly, this ground of appeal was rejected as it flew in the face of how Recital 15 of the Regulation was to be interpreted. Coulson LJ held that Recital 15 was prescriptive, stating at paragraph 15:

‘In my view, Recital 15 could not be clearer.  It states that, for the purposes of the Regulation, “extraordinary circumstances should be deemed to exist” where an ATMD has (amongst other things) caused a delay to a particular aircraft on a particular day.  The use of the expression “should be deemed to exist” is critical, because it leaves no room for doubt or argument: an ATMD which causes a long delay to a particular flight on a particular day should be deemed to be an extraordinary circumstance.  That clear guidance is not qualified in any way.’

  1. Secondly, this ground of appeal was rejected as no case law (either domestically or from the Court of Justice for the European Union) supported the appellant’s interpretation of Recital 15. No case referred to by the appellant addressed the meaning of Recital 15, save for McDonagh v Ryanair Limited [2013] 1 Lloyd’s LR 440 in which it was confirmed that the ATMD to close Irish airspace (as a result of volcanic ash) was an extraordinary circumstance.
  2. Thirdly, the ground of appeal was rejected as the interpretation put forward ran contrary to the various policy considerations involved. Coulson LJ explained the different wording between Recitals 14 and 15 as being down to the fact that carriers ‘generally had no control’ over delays caused by ATMDs. He continued at paragraph 31:

‘It would be impractical and time-consuming if carriers felt obliged routinely to challenge every ATMD at the time that it was made, because they knew that they would need subsequently to justify that decision in answer to any claims for delay.  It would also be impractical for the courts to allow a debate about the merits of a particular ATMD long after the event, and in circumstances where ATC would not be party to the litigation.  Such an approach would be disproportionate to the typical value of compensation awarded in cases of this kind.’

  1. Coulson LJ further held that, based on the language of Recital 1 – to ensure ‘a high level of protection’ for passengers – that protection ‘starts with the need to ensure their safety’. He continued at paragraph 32 thus:

‘The paramount importance of safety considerations explains the significance that Recital 15 ascribes to ATMDS: it is there, as a separate and stand-alone Recital, in order to emphasise that any issue of safety, which would in turn require an ATMD, takes the situation out of the ordinary.’

  1. In response to the concern that Recital 15 constitutes a sort of “get out of jail free” card, the judge emphasised that carriers still needed to satisfy the second limb of Recital 15 (and Article 5(3)) that all reasonable measures had been taken to avoid the delay due to the impact of the ATMD1.
  2. Coulson LJ noted in passing that his conclusions on the primary ground of appeal were consistent with a number of decisions of the lower courts, namely in Horstink & Snapper v British Airways (Liverpool County Court) and Dunbar v easyJet (Scottish Sheriff Court).

The inapplicability of the inherency and control test to Recital 15 cases

  1. The learned judge then turned to consider whether the first limb of the test set out in Wallentin-Hermann v Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane SpA (C-549/07) – whether an event is ‘inherent in the normal exercise of the activity of the air carrier concerned and is beyond the actual control of that carrier on account of its nature or origin’ – applied to a Recital 15 case. In holding that the test was not applicable, Coulson LJ explained that neither in Wallentin-Hermann or Huzar v Jet2.com [2014] EWCA Civ 791, was Recital 15 mentioned. There was therefore no reason for the inherency and control test to apply when Recital 15 deals with ‘the binding decision of a third party (namely the ATC) which should be deemed to be an extraordinary circumstance’2.

Cause of the delay was the ATMD which passed the inherency and control test

  1. Coulson LJ held that if he was wrong, and the inherency and control test did apply, then the ATMD ‘was not inherent in the respondent’s normal activity of making/organising such flights; it was the independent decision of a third party, over which the respondent had no control, and it formed no part of the respondent’s own activities’3.

1 Paragraph 34.  2 Paragraph 39.  3 Paragraph 47.

ATMD relating to a particular aircraft on a particular day?

  1. The last submission raised on appeal was that the ATMD did not relate to a particular aircraft on a particular day, as required by the language found in Article 15, as over 20 flights were affected by the ATMD in question.
  2. Coulson LJ gave this submission short shift, holding that it would ‘make no sense if an ATMD affecting one flight was covered by Recital 15, but that an ATMD (made for precisely the same reason), which affected two or more flights, fell outside Recital 15’4. Provided the carrier demonstrated ‘the necessary causal link between the ATMD and the particular delay’5 then the first limb of Recital 15 was made out.
  3. In concluding, Coulson LJ held that a series of ATMDs, issued as ‘part of a developing or ongoing situation, particularly when the cause of the problem is the weather’6 could not undermine a defence based on Recital 15.

What impact?

  1. Prior to this judgment there was some debate as to the status of Recital 15, whether it was guidance only to be taken into consideration or whether it amounted effectively to a deeming provision. Coulson LJ described Recital 15 to be ‘a much more prescriptive provision [than Recital 14] which, all other things being equal, equates an ATMD with extraordinary circumstances, and thereby allows the Article 5(3) defence to run’7. It is clear now that Recital 15 is in fact a deeming provision in light of this judgment.
  2. The repeated reference in the judgment to safety being the “paramount” concern, in the same vein at the CJEU in Marcela Pešková, Jirí Peška v Travel

4 Paragraph 53.  5 Paragraph 55.  6 Paragraph 57.  7 Paragraph 43.

Service A.S. (C-315/15, 4 May 2017)8, will be of some comfort to carriers who regularly face claimants and courts who either ignore this important factor or give it little deference.

  1. The judgment will also be of welcome to carriers for clarifying the causality of ATMDs. Provided a carried can establish a causal link between the ATMD and the particular delay then Recital 15 will be made out.
  2. Carriers should similarly be grateful for the gloss added by Coulson LJ to the inherency and control test. It would appear that if a particular circumstance in is an independent decision of a third party, over which the carrier has no control, and it forms no part of the carrier’s activities9, then it will amount to an extraordinary circumstance.
  3. What is less clear from the judgment is the CoA’s response to the issue of when one needs to apply the inherency and control test when a circumstance that is not extraordinary leads to an ATMD. The example given was when an aircraft is taxiing towards the runway when ATC spots smoke which was due to an ‘ordinary technical defect’ which thus leads to an ATMD. Perhaps unhelpfully it was not suggested what the ATMD would be, whether for the return of that aircraft or a wider restriction of the closure of the runway for example.
  4. The issue did not arise for determination on the facts of the case as Coulson LJ held that the cause of the delay was not the thunderstorms. He held that the aircraft had not taken off on time as it had been prevented by ATC at Gatwick – ‘it would have bene unlawful and unsafe for G-EZIN to ignore that prohibition and endeavour to take off in any event’10. Nonetheless, Coulson LJ suggested that in 8 At paragraph 25.  9 Paragraph 47.  10 Paragraph 46.

A scenario where there are ‘two competing causes of the delay’, it is for the court ‘to decide which was the operative cause in accordance with the test in Pešková’11.

  1. Interestingly, Coulson LJ went on to state the following12 on a finding that the delay in the hypothetical scenario was found to be due to an ATMD:

‘…I am not persuaded that there would be any unfairness or illogicality in any event.  For the reasons which I have already given, safety considerations must be paramount.  If in his example the ATC acted because of the smoking engine then, whatever the ultimate cause of that problem, it was of the upmost importance to ensure that the flight was aborted.  Everything else was secondary.  So, although hypothetical examples can be found of circumstances where an ATMD might, on analysis, “hide” a more mundane reason for the delay, it seems to me that that would be a small price to pay to ensure that the safety of all air passengers remained paramount.  Indeed, I am confident that this requirement was precisely what the draughtman had in mind when he or she made Recital 15 a separate and stand-alone provision deeming ATMDs to be “extraordinary circumstances”.’

  1. The judgment appears to, on the one hand, state that in a scenario such as the one proposed by appellant, the Pešková “subtraction test” needs to take place (if one is left with three hours or more of a delay caused by non-extraordinary circumstances then compensation is payable). On the other hand, Coulson LJ appear to state that this exercise need not take place if a non-extraordinary circumstance ultimately leads to an ATMD (or possibly other extraordinary circumstance). Whilst carriers may feel inclined to follow the latter remarks made by Coulson LJ, this flies in the face of the CJEU’s decision in Pešková.
  2. For now (subject to what happens in a post-Brexit world), carriers are advised to continue to evidence and argue that all the causes of a delay are extraordinary, unless it can be clearly proved that the only cause of the delay was an ATMD.

11 Paragraph 41.  12 At paragraph 42.

  1. Carriers will, of course, still have to provide that they took all reasonable measures to avoid the delay, whether caused by a ATMD and/or some other circumstance.

Lawrence Power ©

10 February 2019

cl@whitestonechambers.com

www.whitestonechambers.com

Welcoming 5G this year.

Brand new technology is arriving on our door step. From brick phones to smart phones to wireless technology we are now embracing the fifth-generation cellular, known as 5G.

The new innovation will drastically affect other devices, such as security cameras, industrial robots, drones and cars that communicate traffic data.

5G will override the looks of 3G and 4G, by allowing people to download digital media, including whole movies, in seconds. The new market creation will revolutionise video games, sports, shopping and social media, by taking digital media to a whole new level.

What is 5G?

Essentially 5G defines the incoming of a mobile cellular network together with radio performance, computer components and antennas covering radio signals and exchanging data. To benefit from 5G, users will need to purchase new mobile phones.

The speed of 5G is dependent on your location and your mobile cellular.

Qualcomm, a wireless component creator, has said after complete testing the 5G download speed is 4.5 gigabits per second. Median speed is indicated as approximately 1.4 gigabits per second. Fast paced 5G will vastly increase the speed of video streaming.

5G has been designed with the view to reduce latency to milliseconds as well as being a reliable source for sending out signals.

When is 5G coming?

T-Mobile will be rolling out 5G in 30 Cities in the US by the end of 2019. First, they will be launching 5G in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Las Vegas. Meanwhile three telecom companies in South Korea have launched a 5G servicing for manufacturing clients on December 1st, 2018.

EE has successfully completed a 5G trial in the UK.

When shall I buy a 5G smartphone?

It is suggested to wait until late 2019 or even 2020 to purchase a 5G handset. In a future article we will set out what 5G enable phones will be on the market in 2019. As regards iPhone users, Apple have not yet selected a 5G modem supplier hence the first time iPhone will come with 5G is in 2020 when the iPhone 12 is released.

© 2019 Whitestone Chambers

www.whitestonechambers.com

law@whitestonechambers.com

Posted by Adam Richardson.

Celebrities warned about social media conduct.

Whitestone Chambers
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Celebrities warned about social media conduct.

Sixteen UK based celebrities have entered into a formal agreement with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stating that they will not continue to advertise brands on social media without declaring it to their followers and viewers.

The CMA launched an investigation after they discovered that numerous celebrities and online influencers were being paid to advertise products without declaring this to their impressionable fan bases. It found that paid product placements were not always being made clear, leading to fears that consumers could mistake them for personal recommendations from their online heroes.

The CMA have not gone as far to make a decision on whether the influencers actually breached consumer law but stated that all 16 had volunteered to change their practices.

The CMA said that if they failed to do so it could take out a court order against them, which could lead to fines and up to two years in prison if they break the conditions of the agreement.

Speaking on the government website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said

“You should be able to tell as soon as you look at a post if there is some form of payment or reward involved, so you can decide whether something is really worth spending your hard-earned money on.”

Further guidance was expressed on https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/social-media-endorsements which stated:

“Audiences need to know when an influencer has been paid, incentivised or in any way rewarded to endorse, promote, or review a product or service, including whether a product or service was given or loaned to them for free”.

All eyes will be on the 16, which includes celebrities ranging from Rita Ora to Made in Chelsea’s Mario Falcone to see if their online posts are demonstrably altered in the coming months. If not, time will tell how hard the CMA will come down on them.

                                     

© Whitestone Chambers

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law@whitetsonechambers.com

Whitestone Chambers
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Temple, London, EC4Y 7DL
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Top 10 Airlines – 2019 announced by AirlineRatings.com.

  1. Singapore Airlines
  2. Air New Zealand
  3. Qantas
  4. Qatar Airways
  5. Virgin Australia
  6. Emirates
  7. All Nippon Airways
  8. EVA Air
  9. Cathay Pacific Airways
  10. Japan Airlines

Singapore Airlines.

In 2018 Singapore Airlines came third place. Now they have overshadowed Qantas and Air New Zealand by taking first place. The Airline won ‘Worlds Best Airline 2019’ by AirlineRatings.com due to their innovation, new products and world-renowned inflight service. Singapore Airlines have also begun direct flights from Singapore to New York.

Air New Zealand.

Former five-time winner falls to second place with best premium economy and best Airline. The Airline has been busy increasing international and domestic markets.

Qantas.

Received third place, along with winning the best domestic service and best lounges. The Airlines customer approval rating is consistently high, and their innovations continue with lie-flat beds on all A330s that fly between domestic and regional international flights

Qatar Airways.

A new winner who won best catering and best business class. According to judges, the food is excellent and beyond mouth-watering even in Economy class.

Virgin Australia.

Australia’s second largest Airline took fifth place, with best cabin crew. Virgin Australia has added a new element to their traveling experience with Economy X, Premium Economy and standout Business Class.

Emirates.

The frequent Dubai Airline landed sixth place after securing Best Inflight Entertainment and Best Long-Haul in the Middle East. Emirates has been a leading airline, as well as benchmarking the industry.

All Nippon Airways.

All Nippon Airways or ANA came seventh place. Customers insist the Airline provides a very oriental experience and their attention to detail is astonishing.

EVA Air.

The Taiwanese Airline takes eighth place, thanks to their new routes, cabin innovations and new aircraft. They are known to be an exceptional Airline and a Premium Economy leader. This is what keeps EVA Air in the top 10.

Cathay Pacific Airways.

The Hong Kong based Airline has maintained their position in the top 10. AirlineRatings.com have said ‘The airline is byword for operational excellence’. The Airline was awarded best Business class in 2013 and 2015 combined with best Asia/Pacific airline.

Japan Airlines.

Is another well-known Japanese Airline competing against ANA Japan Airlines bagged the last spot coming in at number 10, research they represent all the things we love about the Orient, politeness, efficiency and incredible food

© 2019 Whitestone Chambers

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law@whitestonechambers.com

Happy New Year & Cyber Security – 6 new steps to consider in 2019.

Malware attacks, data breaches, security hacks and microtargeted personalized advertising all formed part of the digital low life in 2018.

In order to keep up with the modern world, technologies must advance. So how does one keep up with security and software protection. With the commencement of 2019 and new software releases, here are a few tips on keeping your digital life free from manipulative use.

  1. Create boundaries and abide by them.

Research shows the best way to stay safe is by setting boundaries. Agree on what data you are happy to share involving online services and apps and stay bound to it. This is preparation for when you are asked to share data falling out of any agreement.  Consider reducing your time spent on online discussions and it may be useful to set a time limitation on digital security as it is endlessly time consuming.

  1. Setting filter trends.

People who find news on social media, set their social media feed trends. Due to this those people are unlikely to find news they disagree on as they will be displayed with articles they have previously shown agreement with. This isolates people in developing further views and reduces their chances of generating a different angle.

All Slides and Purple Feed are free online tools that display social media reports and news reports involving different political perspectives. The information comes from across the political spectrum and does not replicate previous search histories.

  1. Having a safe password.

The strength of your password does not determine the safety of your account, as people tend to reuse their passwords for many accounts. It is known that researchers are notified when a reused password has been leaked. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use different passwords. A password manager software can be used to detect hacks. (Do read our article on pin numbers)

  1. Using a multi-factor authentication.

Having an additional pin number, when logging into your financial accounts, social media and emails adds a lot more protection. Multi-factor authentication sends you a six-digit pin code as part of your log in process. For more protection you can even consider a code-generating app.

  1. Deleting apps you no longer use.

Apps loaded on your phone track you and provide your information to marketing and advertising agencies. Therefore, if you no longer use an App delete it and if you need it again, redownload it. This reduces companies tracking where you go, time spent at locations and identity recognition.

  1. Updating the apps you use.

Useful advice provided by experts is to ensure software on your computers and apps on your phone are always kept up to date.

These 6 ideas will help reduce the chances of hackers exploiting your data and allow you to keep safe and on high alert in 2019.

 

© 2019 Whitestone Chambers

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law@whitestonechambers.com

 

As 2019 starts up – Whitestone looks back at the top stories of 2018.

  1. Apple and Samsung’s ongoing legal battle is over.
    A legal battle that nobody thought would ever end. Eventually both tech companies settled out of court after arguing all the way up to the supreme court for seven years. The dispute was over ‘stolen tech’.
  1. Supreme Court weighs in on location data.
    The Supreme Court ruled that if your past location data needs to be accessed, the law enforcement must attain a warrant. Prior to this, authorities were able to retrieve the data from a third party with access to that data.
  1. The death of Stephen Hawking.
    Stephen Hawking died at his home in Cambridge on 14/01/2018. He died at 76 after having suffered from Motor Neurone Disease. He was a remarkable physicist and an author.
  1. 2018 World Cup winners.
    France won the World Cup 2018 final in a six-goal battle against Croatia. France last won in 1998, when they hosted their winning tournament. England had a successful but ultimately disappointing tournament losing out in the semi finals to Croatia.
  1. A Royal wedding.
    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on 19/05/2018. 29 million viewers watched the wedding.
  1. Salisbury poisoning.
    An ambulance found an ex Russian spy and his daughter severely ill on a bench in Salisbury. It has been said they were poisoned by a nerve agent in an attack by the Russian State. Their condition was critical for weeks, they have been since discharged and now they live in a secure location.
  1. Iceland ensures equal pay for men and women.
    Iceland became the first nation to make paying men more than women illegal. Passed on Women’s Day the year earlier, the bill makes it mandatory for companies employing 25 or more workers to pay men and women equally.
  1. Last male northern white rhinoceros dies.
    Sudan died at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Now only two female species remain they are his daughter and granddaughter. There is no hope for more of the spices, unless alternative IVT techniques are developed.
  2. Thai cave rescue comes to successful end.
    Members of a junior football team were found trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai Province. The incident happened due to heavy rainfalls. However they were safely rescued 18 days later. The Elon Musk story will rumble on in 2019.

 

 

Happy New Year  –  United Airlines ban puppies and kittens from flights

As of January 7th, 2019, United Airlines have banned ALL emotional support animals on long haul flights. United Airlines has recently decided to forbid animals on flights under the influence of Delta. Delta is their biggest competitor who prohibited puppies and kittens on board in December 2018.

United is only allowing emotional support cats and dogs to attend flights no longer than eight hours. Puppies and kittens under four months are not permitted to travel on any flights. The new enforcement is effective from January 7th, 2019. However, United has made allowances for passengers travelling with animals who booked before January 3rd.

However miniature horses and cats and dogs acting as service animals will be accepted on board.

Support and service animals can fly for free in the States under the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act.

Due to the growth of animals now attending flights with passengers, airlines have incurred several incidents including soiled cabins, attacks and allergies. It is said that an increase of these events is forcing airlines to impose these rules.

United Airlines Stated: “We have seen increases in onboard incidents on longer flights involving these animals, many of which are unaccustomed to spending an extended amount of time in the cabin of an aircraft.” (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/united-airlines-emotional-support-animals-banned-flights-delta-puppies-kittens-a8710901.html)

Delta stated daily they flew 700 animals with passengers including snakes and spiders.

A United Airlines passenger attempted to board to Los Angeles with an emotional support peacock named Dexter in 2018. She even tried to purchase a ticket for him, however he did not satisfy the weight and size guidelines, so she was refused.

International airlines outside the U.S.A. do not recognise emotional support animals. However, service animals assisting disabled passengers are permitted to travel usually without any additional cost.

As regards Wayne Rooney flying into Dulles, well that was an entirely different emotional support package.

 

How ‘common’ is your ATM pin?

It is a common fact that people are naturally bad at selecting tedious and obscure personal identification numbers (PIN). The most common PIN is the staggeringly predictable  ‘1234’.Whilst that is bad, the list of top 15 most common PINs is also an obvious read.

Top 15 pins;

  1. 1234
  2. 1111
  3. 0000
  4. 1212
  5. 7777
  6. 1004
  7. 2000
  8. 4444
  9. 2222
  10. 6969
  11. 9999
  12. 3333
  13. 5555
  14. 6666
  15. 1122 (https://gizmodo.com/5946582/the-20-most-common-pins-are-painfully-obvious)

Yet people still think they have a ‘tough enough’ PIN, despite most people’s being entirely guessable. The percentage of PIN hacks has increased in 2018 by 12% leaving it at 54%.. Let’s hope we can reduce this percentage in 2019.

So, how to come up with a good PIN? First tip, avoid all the choices above! Pick something slightly more mysterious. For example the year or date of a memorable trip you took, the year a particular country  won the world cup, the last four digits of your work/mobile number or even your childhood home phone number.  Choosing the most obvious PIN is problematic for bank cards, phones, computers and even PIN locks. It is common knowledge now that people tend to use memorable dates backwards, so this should also be avoided.

So, be smart, be creative and stay safe.