Britain seeks loophole in EU green energy targets

Britain is seeking to change the rules governing renewable energy targets to make it easier for the UK to fulfil its commitment to promote clean energy, the Guardian has learned.

Check the full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/29/renewableenergy.climatechange

Case Law: Supervisors not entitled to tip pool

The Guardian, Saturday March 22 2008

California court orders Starbucks to return $100m in tips to baristas.

Cash should not have been shared with supervisors.

Check the full article at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/mar/22/starbucks.usa

Shell CEO - Interview

Mr. Van Der Veer speaks to CNN about the future of the oil and gas industry, role of IOC vs NOC, relations with Nigeria, and other issues.

Check the interview at this link:

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/business/2008/03/21/hodson.van.der.veer.intv.cnn

Oil and Gas Spying

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russian authorities have charged two brothers who have dual Russian-U.S. citizenship with industrial espionage, accusing them of illegally gathering information for foreign oil and gas companies.

Read the article at http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/21/russia.arrests/index.html

Major Decision in Offshore Holiday Claims Case

On 21 February 2008, the Aberdeen Employment Tribunal issued a decision in the case of Russell & Others v Transocean & others.

The case will affect more than 500 pending claims and clarifies important points in the application of the Working Time Regulations 1998.

For further information, check these links:
http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/media/view-press.cfm/466

http://www.law-now.com/law-now/2008/offholclaims08.htm

PS: The decision has not been published yet on Westlaw (last checked: March 5, 2008).

Human Rights issues: The Aitken Report (UK)

On 25 January 2008, the Aitken Report was issued concluding an investigation into cases of deliberate abuse and unlawful killing in Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

The complete Report (approx 37 pages) could be viewed at this link (MOD):

http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7AC894D3-1430-4AD1-911F-8210C3342CC5/0/aitken_rep.pdf

Health and Safety regulations - Regular Updates

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commonly implements legislation changes applicable within the UK on only two dates each year.

The two ‘Common Commencement Dates’ are:

* 6 April (the start of the tax year); and
* 1 October

Updates of such new legislation will be published on HSE's website.

To stay up-to-date with health and safety regulations within the UK, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/forthcoming.htm