Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

Channel Islands airline Blue Islands has started a twice-weekly route to Liverpool, their second new route from Guernsey of the summer.

It follows the launch of Monday's daily flight to London Southend and the expected launch of a Cornwall service on 3 June.

CEO of the airline Rob Veron said the opening of these new routes demonstrated their "commitment to serving the Channel Islands" as they continued to "sustainably" develop their network.

Image source, Blue Islands

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

The teachers strikes are affecting Jersey life beyond the normal education and care issues, as Thursday's Great Jersey Potato-off, external has been forced to delay the announcement of the schools category winner.

The final weigh-in to determine the victor will now take place on Friday.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Jersey

Image source, Getty Images

Discussions between Jersey's government and the island's teachers could lead to a better pay offer in June.

For several months teachers have claimed their pay offer isn't good enough - and finally announced a series of strikes and industrial action to try to make the States employment board come up with something better.

But the board, led by the Chief Minister, Senator John le Fondre, has always maintained there was simply no more money to give them.

The National Education Union, which has been on strike, and the NASUWT which has been working to rule, met the board together with the conciliation service at the end of last week.

The NEU and now the board both say the talks were positive, and the union will ask its members soon whether to call a halt to the strikes.

In a statement from the States, Senator le Fondre is quoted as saying it has authorised negotiators to build on that progress, and make a better offer by the middle of June.

It's not clear what that will be or where any extra money might come from.

In a separate development, the government claims that the island's head teachers have agreed a revised three-year deal.

BBC Radio Jersey

An inquiry has been told that Jersey should stop sending young people away from the island if they need to be in care.

The panel that ran Jersey's care inquiry is in the island to find out what progress has been made.

It made several recommendations for change - and its hearings this week aim to find out how the island's government has acted on them.

Steve Hart, a consultant working for the States, said ending the practice of sending children off island is part of the plan to improve children's services.

At the moment there are 25 children being cared for away from Jersey.

Jersey Evening Post

Controversial proposals to permanently merge the Weighbridge and Liberation Square as part of plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation have been dropped., external

Guernsey Press

A £350m project to dramatically redevelop the ‘archaic, inefficient and underused’ east coast has stalled after sitting with the States for over 18 months. , external

BBC Radio Guernsey

The RNLI's former lifeboat operations manager on Guernsey has said the night Emilano Sala of the plane crash made him realise he could not do that role and be a jurat.

Peter Gill left the voluntary role after 14 years and has been replaced by former crew member Chris Harvey.

Mr Gill said as with any emergency similar to the disappearance of Mr Sala's plane, everyone involved was under "enormous pressure".

Image source, RNLI

"That was the night that made it absolutely clear to me that I could no longer operate as lifeboat operations manager and function properly as a jurat.

"I am sure the bailiff would look down on me very harshly if I were to be only half awake in the morning... you really put your heart and soul into delivering a proper outcome."

Sala, 28, died in a plane crash late on 21 January near Guernsey, when he was a passenger on a flight from Nantes to the Welsh capital.

The aircraft was piloted by David Ibbotson, who is still missing.

Image source, GETTY IMAGES/DAVID IBBOTSON

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

A Jersey bird expert has warned of the impact that people in the sea have on birds around the island.

Cristina Sellares from Birds on the Edge wants seafaring islanders to pay more attention to how their presence can disturb wildlife on the north coast, after becoming concerned observing kayaks in close proximity to bird colonies.

Between March and July, a seabird protection zone is in place between Plemont and Greve de Lecq to protect vulnerable species like puffins and razor bills throughout the breeding season.

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

A Guernsey man who is creating a self-sustaining home is calling on Guernsey Electricity to support renewable energy projects like his.

Andrew Munro, who runs the anti-litter campaign “Pick It Up Guernsey”, is transforming his home to accommodate a heating system powered by solar panels in order to replace his reliance on fossil fuel heating.

He said Guernsey Electricity and other energy companies should be doing more to support islanders to use renewable energy.

Guernsey Electricity said that while solar subsidies have been used elsewhere, the concept of subsidies could be "divisive", as not everyone can afford to install them.

Adam Durbin
BBC News Online

The States vet is urging Jersey beekeepers to be aware of the resurgence of the honey bee disease American foulbrood, following a confirmed case on the island.

Previously undetected since 2014, the bacterial infection kills larvae and leaves behind honey combs with a sunken appearance.

The disease is spread by other bees moving between colonies or unwitting keepers moving equipment from an infected hive to a healthy one.

States veterinary officer, Theo Knight-Jones, said: “Any islander keeping bees should inspect their hives regularly for any signs of infection", reporting any signs of the disease to the States veterinary office.

Mr Knight-Jones also reminded all island beekeepers that is important that they register their hives in order to keep a record of the location of colonies and help prevent the spread of the disease.

Chris Quevatre
BBC News Online

The panel which investigated abuse in Jersey's care system has returned to the island to see whether appropriate action has been taken following the care inquiry report two years ago.

The panel will hear from politicians, civil servants and voluntary groups at a series of public hearings this week.

The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report was released in the summer of 2017, and detailed seven decades of abuse in the island's care system

One survivor told how live electrical wires were applied to children's legs, while other victims also reported being beaten with nettles, having their heads dunked in cold water and being sexually abused.

Image source, EPA

Last year, Jersey's government admitted changes were "not being made fast enough", with only 11 of 41 action points completed by the first anniversary of the report on 3 July 2018.

Jersey Reds sign back-row forward Josh Bainbridge from Championship rivals Yorkshire Carnegie.

Jersey Reds sign Cardiff Blues full-back Tom Williams and fly-half Greg Dyer for the 2019-20 campaign.

BBC Radio Guernsey

Climate change and in-work poverty will feature more heavily in the States of Guernsey's updated government plan, it's been revealed.

Over the last three years the Policy and Resources plan has set out the aims and objectives the States want to achieve, with revisions and updates taking place annually.

Guernsey's plan for government is a way to support a 20-year vision of making the island one of the happiest and healthiest in the world.

The main focus in this update has been putting a spotlight on tackling in-work poverty after a review was brought before the assembly earlier this year.

The other big difference with this update is to prepare a climate change action plan to help take preventative measures against the impacts of global warming in Guernsey. Proposed changes also include renaming it The Future Guernsey Plan.

Live coverage of the States of Jersey meeting from BBC Radio Jersey.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's teachers will be asked to vote at the end of next week whether to agree a settlement to their pay dispute and end their strike action.

Members of the main teaching unions met the States Employment Board on Friday under the guidance of the island's conciliation service - an organisation that tries to resolve this kind of dispute.

Brendan Carolan of the NEU said the talks were positive, especially as all the unions took part.

He said there is the potential to reach an agreement - depending on further discussions.

Today's strike is still going ahead, and teachers have been asked to go to a rally at lunchtime to show their solidarity.

Alex Osborne
BBC Weather

It will be dry and sunny and pleasantly warm.

Maximum temperature: 13 to 16C (55 to 61F).