Here at last is the true story of the merchant fleet during World War II, the non-fighting service in which 32,000 men died yet whose essential role has never been fully appreciated. The author, himself a member of the service from 1941-47, relates the stories of merchantmen and their crews with unique insight. From the early days of the war to the day of victory on the Rhine, through combined operations in the Mediterranean and at Normandy, the complete operation of the fleet is examined, with vivid accounts of the horrific losses undergone, the heroism of the crews and the sacrifices endured to ensure that Britain received its essential supplies of food, oil, and raw materials. Highly illustrated, this book will be absorbing for the war historian, maritime enthusiast and general reader alike.

The Review Body makes recommendations for the pay arrangements of prison governors, other operational managers, prison officers and support grades in England and Wales. This is their 4th report which contains recommendations applicable from 1 April 2005, including that existing rates of locality payment remain in force, to be kept under review; an increase in basic pay of 2.5 per cent for staff generally, with the exception of senior officers who should receive an increase of 3.0 per cent in improve their relative position within the pay structure.

The paper provides brief updates for each CCRT-eligible country on its policy responses to the pandemic and on staff’s assessments of these policies, the use of resources freed up by debt service relief, and the implementation of governance safeguards commitments. The paper also provides an update on the financial situation of the CCRT. The generous support from 17 donor countries and the EU has mobilized SDR 609 million in new pledges since the onset of the pandemic.

This is the fourth report on Northern Ireland from the Prison Service Pay Review Body with recommendations for the pay arrangements of prison governors and officer grades applicable from 1 April 2006. These include: a consolidated increase in basic pay for all remit group staff of two per cent, to be paid through spinal progression; and an unconsolidated service-wide performance award of up to one per cent.

A head server at a renowned NYC restaurant dishes out stories and trade secrets from the world of fine dining in this behind-the-scenes memoir. While recent college grad Phoebe Damrosch was figuring out what to do with her life, she supported herself by working as a waiter. Before long she was a captain at the legendary four-star restaurant Per Se, the culinary creation of master chef Thomas Keller. Service Included is the story of her experiences there: her obsession with food, her love affair with a sommelier, and her observations of the highly competitive and frenetic world of fine dining. Along the way, she provides insider dining tips, such as: Never ask your waiter what else he or she does. Never send something back after eating most of it. Never make gagging noises when hearing the specials—someone else at the table might like to order one.