international carrier attempts to stop mid-air foul play.

British Airways' new measure will endeavour to stop "air rage'' by giving disruptive passengers final warning notices.

The written notices, which warn potential offenders that they face arrest on landing unless they cease their unacceptable behaviour, went on trial across the airline's vast route network on September 1.

It is the latest British Airways initiative to combat air rage incidents which have risen 400 percent over the last three years. It will target drunk and abusive passengers and others who break the airline's smoking ban.

Senior cabin crew staff will hand out the notices which also warn offenders they will be liable for diversion costs if their behaviour forces the aircraft to land at the nearest airport.

British Airways crew members last year dealt with 260 disruptive passengers but disruptive behaviour is still rare taken in the context of the 40 million passengers carried on 300,000 British Airways flights each year.

DEMOLITON DELAYED DGS GVT Demolition delayed Government plans to demolish a crack house were put on hold for the second time because of disagreements between the owners of the drug den.

A Government spokesman said the Ministry of Public Safety and the Police found their hands tied by the "shifting opinion'' and "lack of unanimity'' amongst the family which owns the house.

The spokesman stated it was therefore unlikely that the house would be boarded up or demolished this week as planned.

BOOST FOR HOTELS NJ Boost for hotels The conference facilities Bermuda properties can provide corporate groups got a plug in Travel Agent magazine.

Writer Grant Flowers noted at the start of his article that: "Americans have been holding meetings in Bermuda since the Revolutionary War, when colonial patriots smuggled food into the British colony in exchange for gunpowder.'' Meetings have since gotten easier, he continued, and the Island now offers a wide range of hotels with meeting spaces that can cater from five to 500 guests.

Mr. Flowers highlighted 11 local properties ranging in size from Ariel Sands and Cambridge Beaches to The Princess and Sonesta Beach.

JILTED BOYFRIEND FINED CTS Jilted boyfriend fined A jilted boyfriend caused a disturbance at a mall when he spotted his former love there.

Shaheed Shakir admitting using offensive words at the Bermuda Industrial Union mall on Union Street, Pembroke.

Magistrate Ed King was told Police officers were called to the mall after a report of a disturbance.

They found Shakir, 25, of Cedar Heights, Warwick, standing outside banging on the door with his crash helmet.

His former girlfriend was outside and didn't want to talk to him or enter the store.

Labourer Shakir said he lost his composure, adding: "I have no excuse.'' He was fined $200 with a 28 day default penalty.

TRIAL DATE DELAYED CTS Trial date delayed Two homeless men accused of stealing and arson in a crime spree last winter will return to Supreme Court on October 1 for mention.

Jeffries and Dill deny three counts of breaking and entering, seven counts of receiving stolen property, two counts of wilful damage and one charge of arson.

All of the offences allegedly occurred sometime between December 10, 1997 and January 4, 1998.

The pair allegedly stole items including jewellery, cash, electronics, and computer equipment from various stores and offices throughout the Island.

More than $70,000 was stolen from Trimingham Brothers, Club Med, Bermuda Regiment Headquarters and Audio Visual Electronics among other businesses.

The men also deny setting fire to Audio Visual Electronics in Sandys Parish between December 10 and 11, last year and damaging alarm wires at some of the businesses burgled.