Militants dig in for fight as major operation looms in opium-producing area

BA boss Willie Walsh wants all staff to take part in the cost-cutting scheme

British Airways is asking thousands of staff to work for nothing, for up to one month, to help the airline survive.

The appeal, sent by e-mail to more than 30,000 workers in the UK, asks them to volunteer for between one week and one month’s unpaid leave, or unpaid work.

BA’s chief executive Willie Walsh has already agreed to work unpaid in July, forgoing his month’s salary of £61,000.

Last month, BA posted a record annual loss of £401m, partly due to higher fuel bills and other costs.

Mr Walsh said BA’s drive to save cash was part of a “fight for survival”.

“I am looking for every single part of the company to take part in some way in this cash-effective way of helping the company’s survival plan,” he said.

“It really counts,” he added.

BA has been in urgent talks during the past few weeks with trade unions at the company over other ways to save money.

Details of a large pay and productivity deal are expected to be announced on Wednesday.

Flexible scheme

BA won’t say how much it hopes to save by its latest initiative

A company spokesman said it did not have an exact target for the expected savings from its appeal.

“As much as possible, but we don’t have a figure,” he said.

The idea was first launched last month when the airline asked staff to volunteer for a month’s unpaid leave, or to work for free for that time.

That attracted more than 1,000 applicants.

But the company’s more recent version of its scheme, launched last week by e-mail and in an article in the internal staff newspaper BA News, is more flexible.

It asks staff to volunteer by the end of this month for between one week and one month of unpaid leave or unpaid work.

The lost salary will be spread over between three and six months.

Unusual

BA said other airlines, such as Cathay Pacific, had launched similar schemes and a majority of their workforces had signed up for them.

Many employers have imposed pay cuts or short-time working since the recession struck the UK last year.

“In certain cases such as Honda, they shut down for several weeks,” said Alistair Hatchett of the research organisation Incomes Data Services.

“Where it is obvious the economic circumstances are tough, people are willing to talk.

“Where employers try it on opportunistically, then there is a challenge,” he added.

Today is Monday, May 11, 2009
TODAY’S ASTROLOGICAL TIMETABLE
Positions of the planets and luminaries today at noon GMT (8 a.m. EDT):

Sun…………… 21st degree Taurus
Moon………….. 18th degree Sagittarius
Mercury……….. 2nd degree Gemini, retrograde
Venus…………. 9th degree Aries
Mars………….. 15th degree Aries
Ceres…………. 4th degree Virgo
Jupiter……….. 26th degree Aquarius
Saturn………… 15th degree Virgo, retrograde
Uranus………… 26th degree Pisces
Neptune……….. 27th degree Aquarius
Pluto…………. 3rd degree Capricorn, retrograde
Eris………….. 22nd degree Aries
Lunar Node…….. 3rd degree Aquarius, retrograde

ZODIACAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TODAY

A new survey has found that more young people believe in horoscopes than what’s in the Bible.So are you hooked to your star sign, or do you think it’s a load of made-up rubbish?

Maybe you have to check your horoscope before you make a big decision about something?

Is it possible to be religious and still believe in your star sign? E-mail us now!

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.

I think they’re stupid, I mean how an earth can you tell your future from the stars, there are millions of people with the same star sign as you and they can’t all have the same things going on in their lives as you do!

The last time I read my horoscope it turned out to be totally true!

Horoscopes are a load of rubbish! It’s just some people trying to make money by predicting stuff. Plus there’s a good chance some are going to happen anyway - e.g. “you will feel happy today” - well, duh, don’t most people?

I think that there is no right or wrong answer because you either believe in them or not!

They are a con. People down my road phoned a number to find out their full horoscope and the call cost ten quid for two minutes!

Yes, I have a book for my star sign. Horoscopes for this year 8 out of 10 times it’s true!

I do kind of believe in them. I read about my star sign (Pisces) and it really did sound like me. I read them in magazines. Sometimes I compare them in different magazines and sometimes they are nearly the same.

No way of course I don’t.

I don’t really know if believe in those things, but it’s exciting to think about all the things that could happen if it did come true. I haven’t got a religion or anything because I just believe the science. But it could be true that people especially girls believe in these things more than in the bible.

I definitely don’t believe horoscopes. How can one thing apply to millions of people who have the same star sign. It’s ridiculous!!!

No I don’t believe in horoscopes as it never comes true. When I read my horoscope I get exited if it is something good but it never happens.

I do believe in horoscopes as they give me confidence about myself and it makes me think about doing things.

I don’t really know if I believe in horoscopes or not, but when me and my mates read them in magazines for a laugh they usually come true.

I do believe in horoscopes, I just do not know why!

I don’t believe in horoscopes. I read one once that said “you’ve been working hard so now it’s time to party” on the day before my b’day, but I still don’t believe in it. Of course I was going to party soon!! All Libra’s b’days are around the same time!! Duh!!!

Real horoscopes? Yes. The rubbish they print in teen magazines? No. I can see why more people believe in them than the Bible, though. For a start they don’t expect you to believe that water can be turned into wine, or dead people come back to life.

I am quite a devoted Christian and am disappointed about what this survey has shown. I like to read magazines and like to believe that horoscopes are true, but I would never believe a horoscope more than my Bible!!! It’s nice to hear that something nice is going to happen to you. But take it from a person who knows horoscopes DO lie. Believe in God not horoscopes. Look what he’s done for me. I’ve never been so happy :-)

I like horoscopes, they’re fun. It doesn’t always come true, but it can. Plus whenever I wear my Pisces charm necklace I’m always lucky!!!

Who would believe in them? It’s just all made-up.

I don’t follow my horoscope regularly but if I get a new mag I’ll check it up. I do believe in horoscopes but I don’t argue with people who think they’re rubbish. People can think what they want - I’m Capricorn by the way!

Kinda, there’s always freakishly something I can relate to.

No, if there is something that happens in my life in my horoscope it is a coincidence. How can a star sign categorise all the people born at a certain time in the year!

No way! How can somebody know me inside out, what I’m thinking or what I’m going to feel. It’s downright freaky. And about it being more popular than the Bible. Well, that just says where religion is heading…

When I read my horoscopes, there’s often something in it that’s true, but not everything, because it would be impossible to work out the day of millions of people with the same horoscope. (By the way, today’s horoscope for me said that someone who pushes me too far will regret it, so watch out!)

Until they step into the delivery room, most people’s notion of childbirth comes from the very graphic end of “The Miracle of Life” in health class or the canned comedic version out of Hollywood.

Childbirth in parks, on shrimp boats or in trees are all true stories of places where women have had unusual deliveries.

“People are used to the Hollywood delivery — a woman is in a restaurant, she’s fine, happy, and she has one contraction and she’s delivering within minutes,” said Dr. Donnica Moore, an obstetrician. Then add some panicked dialogue, perhaps some slapstick and some smiles at the end.

But Hollywood’s writers can’t top the truth. In anticipation of Mother’s Day, ABC News compiled some of the most amazing tales of delivery in odd places.

Obstetricians say not to worry since the chances are quite slim that you’ll deliver a baby in a tree or on a plane. But for good measure, doctors have also offered some advice for what to do if the baby comes before help arrives.

Birth on the Front Lawn

When Jessica Higgins’ and Jennifer Coffman’s children ask where they were born, these moms could actually put down the garden hose and go point to the place.

Two women in the last two years have found themselves delivering on the front lawns of their suburban homes, and not as some new experimental home birth plan.

Jessica Higgins, of Fullerton, Calif., was driving home from the mall with her 2-year-old in the back seat when she realized she was about to go into labor, according to The Associated Press.

Higgins managed to make it to her driveway and call 911, but it was too late.

By the time police got there, baby Mary Claire was already out.

“She was just standing in the driveway rocking the newborn, who was still attached to the placenta,” Officer Manny Ramos told the AP. Father Jeff Higgins got there in time to cut the baby’s umbilical cord.

A similar event happened to Jennifer Coffman last July, except she delivered her baby on the front lawn of her Ann Arbor, Mich., home at night, by flashlight.

Although she once spoke out about the story to a local blog, Coffman’s now a bit reluctant to share details about the circumstances.

“I’m not really a public person,” she said.

Dr. Michael C. Lu said this sort of emergency delivery is very rare.

“It actually doesn’t happen that much if you give your patients good instruction about when to come in,” said Lu, who is an associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and public health at the University of California Los Angeles.

“For me in the last 10 years it’s happened three times out of probably over a thousand deliveries,” he said.

Rare as these unusual births may be, when Coffman heard of other stories mothers had been through, she was grateful.

“I thought a lawn was bad, but a tree?” she joked. “At least I had my feet on the ground.”

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Gemini at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

As a Gemini, you possess an amazing ability to see dualities — the pros and cons of situations as change approaches — and to quickly and efficiently think them through before making any decisions. In 2009, you dare to look deeply into your desires, regenerate self-awareness and recognize psychological ambiguities. This will bring balance into your home and family life. Pay attention to the details as you bring your inner and outer life into harmony. And be sure to enjoy the changes occurring within you!

As you come to terms with yourself, you are able to see a more fulfilling purpose in life, and your field of experience broadens. Focus on matters that affect you most deeply and, like magic, your life will become easier and things will seem to take care of themselves. You have all the necessary resources and motivation to make tangible changes and achieve results this year.

Toward the end of the year, you’ll have time to enjoy yourself, and to bask in a great sense of accomplishment. With the expansive and idealistic energy flowing throughout 2009, Gemini is very comfortable in this age of new awareness and high-mindedness.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Cancer at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

As we enter the Golden Age of Aquarius, you are ready to receive all the blessings that are there for you, especially in the areas of communications and relationships.

Being understood and getting the responses you desire helps you believe in your ability to succeed and reach your highest potential. Your focus is excellent, and you know what you want. Use this to your advantage when working with others, but don’t demand that they see your ideas as visionary — even if you do. As ideas start flowing freely to you, make sure you articulate your insights clearly.

This year, you will be strongly motivated by transformation, especially in romantic unions. When balanced in your heart and mind, you easily express your emotions and are quick to support others. It is important for you to have a partner who is willing to explore different ways of doing things. You will experience many changes as you learn new ways of expressing yourself.

As you make this shift, avoid putting restrictions on yourself and stopping the flow. You are learning to behave in a new positive way, not worrying about the outcome. This will curb your need to control situations and enable you to take your relationships — work and personal — to a higher level of consciousness.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Leo at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

In 2009, you find yourself connecting with people effortlessly as your warm-hearted actions are acknowledged and radiated back to you in a way you’ve never experienced before. The confident joy and happiness you freely give to others gives you the innate ability to be productive. For you, kind actions are the way to transformation and success.

This is a perfect time for proud Leo, because you have the desire, drive and power to help society. You realize there’s work to do, and you’ll give a helping hand wherever you can. You are ready to align yourself with a higher level of awareness, and exhibit a regenerative attitude is about reaping the harvest by submitting to the larger purpose. What you are able to give to others directly reflects the transformation happening within you.

Your heart is in the right place, and you are likely to accomplish all that you set out to do this year. You’re developing excellent skills in your own personal transformation process, and you are ready to make the conscious decision to be the best you can be. You feel secure, and the beauty of who you are shines through easily and effortlessly.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Virgo at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

Wonderful things are in store for you this year, Virgo! You’re experiencing tremendous feelings of rebirth and, as you release old ways of expressing yourself, you’ll find yourself walking into all kinds of new experiences. Virgo loves to make sure everything is clear, concise and methodical, and this will help make it easy for you to graciously receive and beautifully adapt to the growth you are experiencing. You’ll feel very peaceful with the changes happening both inside and outside of you, and you welcome the opportunity to express the new knowledge you gain.

There’s a renaissance going on within you that seems to have been asleep for sometime now. You discover where the doorway is and are ready to consciously find new meaning in your life, and to manifest who you are in your own way. Mentally, culturally, instinctually and spiritually, you’ll be going through incredible transformation this year. Your fresh take on life will give you the ability to manifest a new reality. You take a big leap forward as you share these changes with others.

A re-emergence of your inventive and creative self will give you new ways of taking action and bringing your talents into the world. You will feel secure, safe and centered, which allows you to achieve anything you want in your life. You will feel more spiritually balanced in 2009 than ever before.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Libra at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

Brilliant ideas come easily into Libra’s awareness throughout 2009. As you trust your higher self and allow thoughts to flow freely, you are able to embrace new opportunities and make positive changes in your life. You come to a higher level of understanding and appreciation as you let go of old ideas. You’re no longer separated from what you want as you to detach from limiting thoughts, bringing you a new spiritual perspective of feeling fully supported and loved.

As you stay centered within your core, your highest ideals manifest, and you have the ability to help others realize their interconnectedness, and bring balance into their lives. Your efforts bring you into a more stable way of working than ever before, an important development, what with all the changes occurring this year.

You are a natural conduit, and you are able to receive messages that will help you grow in every area of your life. You have a strong inner sense of direction for where life is going, so trust and allow your struggles to be released.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Scorpio at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

Get out there and communicate your passionate awareness to the world this year, Scorpio! As you articulate your beliefs, you will move your life — and the planet — toward a more spiritual and thoughtful reality. Positively express yourself and your vision, and you will be a source of great inspiration.

Scorpio loves challenges, especially when it involves transformational energy. As you purify your instincts and overcome any fears of letting your creative passion flow, a newfound enthusiasm and strength will arise within you, and affect everyone around you.

You see yourself in a completely different light this year as you discover new ways of bringing harmony into your life and communicating on a deeper level. Accept who you are at the core, and you will experience a wholeness you never thought possible. Trusting yourself is the key to spiritual growth.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Sagittarius at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

You tend to attract just about everything you want this year through your warmth and magnetic Sagittarian That said, you may also go through some great transformational shifts in 2009 as you realize that your happiness no longer depends so much on possessions, but rather on the deeper meaning associated with things symbolic of love and sharing. Instead of controlling what’s happening around you, you now have experiences that perhaps you don’t understand, but in allowing new insights to come in and have a voice, the rearranging of your resources and your values gives you a sense of security and growth.

By surrendering to your higher power, you realize you don’t have to struggle as much to get what you want. As you open up to the ideas and energies flowing around you, your priorities shift dramatically. And — you’ll be happy to know — you don’t need to work as hard to enjoy sensual pleasures either!

Great opportunities arise as your explore your potential, and discover what kind of environment best serves you in your endeavors. Being in touch with this part of yourself helps you align with your higher purpose, and your drive to continue will lead to great success. Life becomes much easier when you trust that the universe will take care of you.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Capricorn at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

In order for Capricorn to accomplish their goals in 2009, intelligent brainstorming is a must. Connecting with others satisfies your mind, and friends are a source of stimulation and inspiration, adding to the scientific developments you like to explore. That said, be sure to take time for yourself. You don’t have to master everything in a day.

You thrive on making new discoveries and developing opportunities. Call upon your inner guidance to help get the job done more efficiently. If you feel any uncertainty, other people are there to confirm your ideas, and allowing yourself to explore your inner thoughts will help you align yourself with a greater sense of awareness and meaningfulness.

Capricorn rarely shies away from highly concentrated work, and you are able to meet challenges as they come up in 2009. This is a time of great self-discovery and transformation for you. As you work to manifest your best possible self, you will see things from a deeper perspective than ever before. Hidden beneath your desire to work hard is the key to making your life easier. In other words, you won’t have to strain as much if you surrender to a higher knowing. Using your powers of concentration to tune into universal knowledge will help you manifest your highest dreams.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Aquarius at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

Aquarius is all about a new vision in 2009, and working to move our planet toward the highest and healthiest quality of life.

You are highly energized with this wonderful alignment, and your inspiration is rekindled to move energy in grandiose ways. You are able to utilize these high frequencies in order to create new structure and value in people’s lives.

This is no time to sit back and let anything slip through your fingers. Express yourself and move forward with your visionary ideas. As you forge ahead, you find a reworking of meaning on a deep level, and discover possibilities as you connect with your highest star.

Your ideas have always been ahead of the times, and now you are a shining example of what the Earth force can assimilate into everyday living. You realize that the world was created with structure, and outdated modes of living that no longer serve mankind are being recognized around the world. It’s time to let go of anything that holds you back. New thinking is on the horizon, and people are ready to align with the quickly changing energies of the planets. Your leadership skills will help humanity make these shifts, and you will feel supported by those who understand the need to create peace and harmony.

Be inventive in channeling your dreams into reality. As you find a place to manifest this energy, it will become easy for you to usher in a better world. The time to realize your highest ideals is here!

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

	Pisces at a Glance	•	Free Sample Karma Report
	Your Career in 2009	•	Your Love Life in 2009

OVERVIEW:

In 2009, Pisces will enjoy swimming in new dimensions, as the highly charged Aquarius energy allows you to dream big and manifest your ideas. Your imagination soars, awakening a deep desire to seek spiritual truth and meaning in your life — and in the world.

Your awareness and new perception helps to serve others. You are able to live freely in the world of transformation, and this encourages others to do the same. They feel supported by your wisdom and understanding. Your inspirational qualities are a large part of your purpose in the world — your ability to heal and inspire.

At times, it may be difficult for you to live in this world of concrete realities, and conversely, sometimes it’s hard for others to understand that all you want to do is live in a world of endless possibilities. As you learn to balance these polarities, harmony prevails.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

OVERVIEW:

Pioneering and courageous Aries is being called to times of incredible new growth and renewal. The considerable reflective time you have spent rehashing and deciding which avenue will best serve your highest purpose has shaken you to the very root of your personal belief systems. Through surrendering to your higher self, new realizations and golden opportunities you never thought possible are brilliantly opening up for you.

Your new commitment to self has given you a renewed appreciation of the your divine wisdom and accomplishments. The understanding you have radiates love and compassion, and is attracting your highest good.

As your creative spirit soars, the excitement you feel helps you submit to the larger purpose and vision gained in your dreamtime. You are easily able to bring your work out into the world with clarity and purpose. Your heart’s desires are quickly manifesting right before your eyes and you are able to reap long-standing benefits as you detach from the past and are catapulted forward.

Because of your humanitarian ideals and desire to be a helper in our emerging world, be careful not to fall into old patterns of helping others fulfill their needs rather than taking care of your own. As you grow, people are drawn to your altruistic ideas and your visionary and compassionate personality.

In spite of your good endurance and concentration, remember to take care of yourself on an everyday basis to maintain wholeness and integration. Finding a good physical outlet for your frustrations is important so that you don’t deplete your energy and prevent yourself from getting what you really want. Enjoyment is the fundamental desire of your life, and you are able to create the life you enjoy.

by Pamela McHenry, “StarGoddess”

Taurus at a Glance

OVERVIEW:

It’s time to celebrate yourself, Taurus! You are pouring yourself into your life’s mission and rejuvenating yourself with abundant thinking, which attracts great things to you. You’re diligently creating a public arena where opportunities will emerge for you to be a teacher or messenger. Engagements for speaking, writing and sharing your thoughts will open up. Other people will be inspired by your enthusiasm and insight, and will support you in accomplishing your goals.

Taurus’s excitement radiates more than ever this year, bringing with it a magnificent energy the world has been lacking. As you embrace the power of your heart and spirit, you are allowing yourself to transform and align with a universal energy source. You discover the space for your creativity to flow and abundantly bring the truth of your being into the world. Your focus on your connection with a higher purpose brings out the best in you and refines your self-expression.

You appreciate all the expansive shifts that are taking place in your life, and you are learning to break up routines and old patterns of rigidity. This allows you a new level of awareness and acceptance of your ultimate purpose. Pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Express your truth and you will advance. You will find avenues to bring your talents and belief systems to philanthropic endeavors. By the end of the year, you will be able to slow down a bit and find more time to enjoy the new you that you have created.