Andy Burnham

Swine flu helplines are being flooded with calls as panic over the deadly virus rises, it was revealed today.
Staff at NHS Direct have fielded more than 52,000 calls in the last week compared to a total of 190,000 since April.
Many of the callers are not thought to be ill but are scared because apparently healthy people have now started dying from the virus.
The rise in calls is despite health chiefs insisting there is no need to panic and trying to reassure people that measures to contain swine flu are in place.
Public fears have increased after yesterday's announcement that a healthy child and a GP with no known underlying problems have died from the virus.

I was in City Centre three hours ago when I was forced by the CID forces and police to leave the mall premises... the police told me that the reason of evacuation is swine flue, it appears that some cases where caught in the mall...

be careful people... cook home, wear masks, wash your hands after saluting anyone... don't go to crowded places, (and for my Arab brothers... Do not kiss each other... at least until we know where this is going) Please inform your companies to post memos and let people take this seriously, and take the appropriate measures to prevent any infections, spread awareness.

Away ya wee Scots... I'm painting my KIA Red and White for the day....

ENGLAND will be painted red and white today as millions salute the patron saint.
Thousands of events are planned to mark the national day in one of the biggest St George’s celebrations in recent years.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has instructed all Government departments to fly the famous red and white flags while church leaders have ordered parishes to ring out their bells in honour of St George.

Proud Bishop of Rochester Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali urged clergy to hold dedicated services. He said: “St George came to personify the importance of conscience at the time people in England were beginning to emphasise the value of liberty.

"Libraries put Bible on top shelf in a sop to Muslims

By Steve Doughty

Librarians are being told to move the Bible to the top shelf to avoid giving offence to followers of Islam.

Muslims have complained of finding the Koran on lower shelves, saying it should be put above commonplace things.

So officials have responded with guidance, backed by ministers, that all holy books should be treated equally and go on the top shelf together.

This means that Christian works, which also have immense historical and literary value, will be kept out of the reach and sight of many readers.

The guidance was published by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, a quango answering to Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.