Great Britain Blog

Mayors for Everyone!

2008-04-23T08:28:00.004-04:00

Every town and city in England should have a powerful directly-elected mayor, a think tank has said.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said mayoral leaders had proved "highly capable" and helped to "reinvigorate" local politics.

But it added the present system was biased against their introduction - with just 12 areas adopting them since the option was introduced in 2002.

News

Through the American mindset, it is hard to imagine a town without a mayor. It seems to work here and it is a wonder that other places do not have this system. Again, that is an American viewpoint.

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Plotters Lose Appeal

2008-04-23T08:24:00.002-04:00

Four men serving at least 40 years for the failed 21 July suicide bombs have lost a Court of Appeal bid to challenge their convictions.

Three judges rejected applications brought by Muktar Said Ibrahim, Yassin Omar, Ramzi Mohammed and Hussain Osman for leave to appeal.

Last July, the men were jailed for life for conspiracy to murder.

Linkage

Men such as these should never see the light of day again. It is good that they lost their appeal. Why should they ever be expected to do anything good and proper again?

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Strike to disrupt 7,500 schools

2008-04-23T08:19:00.004-04:00

The teachers' strike is set to close or partially close about 7,500 schools in England and Wales.

Warnings to parents from 117 local authorities - two thirds of the total - so far show that 31% of schools are expected to face disruption.

The one-day pay strike is being staged on Thursday by members of the National Union of Teachers.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls, opposing the walk-out, says "the majority of teachers do not want to strike".

Schools have been alerting parents to anticipated closures and loss of lessons - with more than 5,000 schools already set to be disrupted in a survey of 117 local authorities.

Linkage

I understand that workers at times go on strike, thus labor unions. But teachers. How can the children be the future if they have no guidance?

Terror Suspect Surrenders

2008-04-18T08:28:00.002-04:00

A terror fund-raiser has handed himself into police after jumping bail for 10 days during his trial.

Shah Jalal Hussain, 25, was found guilty of terrorist fund-raising on Thursday and will be sentenced alongside five other men shortly.

He surrendered at Kingston Crown Court a day after his conviction and was arrested by police.

News

It is good news that this man developed a conscience and turned himself in. It is one less criminal off the streets.

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80 MPH Killer Train

2008-04-15T08:26:00.002-04:00

A man and a woman died when they were struck by an 80mph train on a railway line in west Essex.

The incident happened in the early hours at Harlow Mill on the Cambridge to London Liverpool Street line.

The driver of the 0618 BST train from Cambridge told police he sounded his horn and applied the emergency brakes but was unable to avoid striking them.

Quailman

How two people get stuck on the tracks of an 80 mph train, I do not know. It is unfortunate that this befell these two people. However, it seems to me that the two people must not have been in a completely sober state at the time of the incident.

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Arrests in Murder Case

2008-04-15T08:23:00.003-04:00

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones.

They were held by Merseyside Police in a series of dawn raids in the Croxteth area of the city.

Two youths, aged 16 and 17, and two men, aged 24 and 25, were being held on suspicion of

murdering the 11-year-old schoolboy in August 2007.

Story

It's terrible what happened to the young boy. It is about time that some action was taken to bring those responsible to justice.

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Assessment Complete

2008-04-13T18:36:00.001-04:00

Doctors attack 'supersize' drinks

2008-04-12T10:32:00.003-04:00

Increasingly large pub measures are pushing customers towards unsafe levels of drinking, the Royal College of Physicians has warned.

RCP president Ian Gilmore accused the pub industry of acting irresponsibly and urged it to put its house in order.

The Publican magazine survey found 14% of pubs offered only 250ml wine glasses - equivalent to a third of a bottle.

Linkage

Super sized drinks are really not a good thing for a several reasons. First it would be interesting to see the increase in drunk driving accidents since the opening of these drinks. Secondly your liver would be shot after a while. This is a bad idea.

Doctor admits Glasgow bomb charge

2008-04-11T08:35:00.003-04:00

The brother of a man who died attacking Glasgow Airport with a car bomb has admitted withholding information.

Sabeel Ahmed, 26, from Bangalore, India, pleaded guilty to the charge at a hearing at the Old Bailey in London.

The doctor was arrested in Liverpool and charged on Saturday 30 June, the day of the attack.

Prosecutors say Ahmed received texts and e-mails from his brother, Kafeel, who drove a car into the airport and later died from his injuries.

Link.

One down a lot more to go. The Brits got a bad guy woohoo.

Grade it.

Farmers plan for swinger club.

2008-04-11T08:26:00.003-04:00

A north Devon farmer has caused a stir among villagers by diversifying into hosting a swingers' club.

Roger Stanbury said the premises in Horswell near Bishops Tawton were providing a "harmless" service.

But some villagers say the club, promising "sexy fun", is the wrong type of entertainment for a rural area.

Link.

The village that this farmer lives in obviously does not approve of this plan. Swinger clubs often are not a good idea.

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William Gets His Wings

2008-04-11T08:24:00.002-04:00

Prince William and other graduates have been awarded their RAF pilot's wings - by the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles, accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, bestowed the awards at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, in his capacity as Air Chief Marshal.

Flying Officer Wales, training with the RAF since January, was one of 25 graduates to receive their wings.

linky

Prince William has earned his RAF Wings. It is a nice achievement for the Prince. Also, it was given to his by his father. That must have been a touching ceremony.

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Police Chief Fallen

2008-04-11T07:39:00.002-04:00

The family of police chief Michael Todd have been joined by the home secretary and the UK's most senior police officers at his memorial service.

Hundreds of people are gathered at Manchester Cathedral for the service which is also being relayed on a big screen in the city's centre.

Mr Todd, 50, was found dead on Snowdon, north Wales, on 11 March.

News

Though the cause of his death is still a mystery it is none-the-less sad that he has passed. Only time will tell what really happened.

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Faulty Equipment?

2008-04-11T07:35:00.003-04:00

Sending British soldiers on patrol or into battle with defective equipment could breach their human rights, High Court judge Mr Justice Collins ruled.

In a test case over Scottish soldier Pte Jason Smith's death in Iraq, he said human rights legislation could apply to troops on active service.

He also ruled the families of those killed in conflict should get legal aid and access to military documents.

Story

This could open a large can of worms for the MoD. If they have been sending soldiers to battle with bad equipment then they could be facing large lawsuits.

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He Can Still Bend It

2008-03-27T08:29:00.003-04:00

England striker Michael Owen insists David Beckham is good enough to carry on and add to his 100 England caps.

Beckham was replaced in the 63rd minute after a subdued display in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by France in Paris.

"I think David can keep playing for England, he's still got the quality," Owen told BBC Sport.

He can still bend it

Beckham is still playing at a high level despite the weakness of the MLS. That is evident due to the fact that his European club team tried to get him to stay before his departure to America. If England's strikers have faith in the veteran, shouldn't the fans?

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Six baby cough medicines pulled

2008-03-27T08:26:00.003-04:00

Cough remedies aimed at very young children are to be removed from shelves amid fears of accidental overdose.

The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has ordered six products be permanently removed from sale for children aged under two.

They are Asda Children's Chesty Cough Syrup, Calcough Chesty and Boots Chesty Cough Syrup - one year plus.

Also, Children's Chesty Cough and Boots sore throat and cough linctus one year plus and Buttercup infant cough syrup

Link

All people need to have good medicine, especially babies. I wonder how many medicines are over looked and pulled.

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Budgets Capped

2008-03-27T08:25:00.003-04:00

Five police authorities in England will have their budgets capped, the government is expected to say.

The authorities are likely to be Lincolnshire, Cheshire, Leicestershire, Cleveland and Warwickshire.

Lincolnshire police authority has the highest request. It has increased its stake of the council tax by 80%, adding an extra £2 a week to the average bill.

News

If the budgets are not capped then spending could get out of control. The police need money, but it is a business as well. Their work needs to be done efficiently and productively.

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Unlawfully Killed

2008-03-27T08:21:00.003-04:00

A six-year-old boy who died when he was pushed off a hotel balcony by his father in Greece was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled.

Liam Hogan died after falling 50ft (15m) from the Petra Mare Hotel, in Crete, with his father, John, and sister, Mia, then aged two, in 2006.

Liam died of head injuries and Mia broke several bones in the fall.

Story

It's awful that a young boy would be the victim of this act, or anyone for that matter. What would motivate a person to commit something like this?

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Jersey 'punishment rooms' found

2008-03-25T08:36:00.003-04:00

Police have found two more "punishment rooms" at a former Jersey children's home at the centre of an investigation into alleged abuse.

The underground chambers were found by forensic teams at Haut de la Garenne, the home where 100 people claim they were abused.

Search teams have already excavated two other cellars at the site.

Police say tests on the remains found on the site were inconclusive, but they were placed there no earlier than 1920.

Link.

I am not sure what a punishment room is but it doesn't sound pleasant. I am assuming they are where bad people at this house were punished.

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Judges criticised over gun crime

2008-03-25T08:24:00.004-04:00

A senior policeman has accused some judges of being lenient on gun crime by overlooking mandatory five-year sentences for possession of a firearm.

Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe told the Times it was wrong for judges to ignore such sentences.

He said no-one wanted a repeat of last year's murder of Rhys Jones, 11.

The Ministry of Justice said the five-year term was "a starting point", but mitigating factors must be weighed in deciding the final sentence.

Linkage:

As ever weird it may be a law is a law and a punishment is something for breaking that law. Obviously there should have been some jail time thrown around for these crimes "punishable by law."

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Hiatus

2008-03-20T21:55:00.002-04:00

The blog is taking a hiatus this week due to the Georgia High School Graduation Test. But we'll be back next week with a fresh batch of posts. Keep visiting and remember the British Culture Series will return....

I know, the anticipation is almost too much

Browne makes surprise Iraq visit

2008-03-12T08:46:00.003-04:00

UK Defence Secretary Des Browne is visiting the Iraqi city of Basra.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed Mr Browne was on a "general visit" to the country, but declined to say how long he would be there.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown went to the UK base in Basra, in the south of the country, last November.

There are currently about 4,000 UK troops in the area. The Iraqi government took responsibility for Basra province's security in December.

Link

Have you ever noticed how many Brownes there are in the UK government. Currently there are a lot of troops over in Iraq from the UK, maybe this is the beginning of a with drawl.

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UK pounded by second severe storm

2008-03-12T08:38:00.003-04:00

Northern Ireland, north Wales and north-west England are being pounded by gales and heavy rain in the second band of storms to hit the UK in three days.

Forecasters say gusts of up to 80mph have hit Northern Ireland as the Atlantic weather front moves eastwards.

Motorists faced chaos as several major bridges were affected by the gales and some areas were placed on flood alert.

Link

The British government needs to handle this situation delicately if these storm patterns continue. President Bush lost a lot of support after Hurricane Katrina, the British government does not need to do the same.

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Lost 2 Million?

2008-03-12T08:35:00.002-04:00

A compulsive gambler has lost his bid at the High Court to force bookmaker William Hill to repay his £2m losses.

Greyhound trainer Graham Calvert, 28, from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, said the company failed in its "duty of care".

But Mr Justice Briggs ruled on Wednesday that William Hill was not liable for the losses.

Story

This is gambling the likes of Charles Barkley haven't seen. How could this man lose the equivalent of 4 million dollars? Double or Nothing is not always a good decision. The man is now ruined. It isn't worth it.

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Personal Data Found Out

2008-03-12T08:31:00.003-04:00

Personal data breaches affecting thousands of people have been uncovered by BBC Scotland's Investigations Unit.

The information was revealed through freedom of information requests to NHS boards, councils and police forces.

These included lost patient notes, information on sex offenders and compromised payroll data.

Link

This problem could lead to identity theft. If a news organization can find all this information out, then an intelligent criminal certainly could. It is a dangerous possibility for these people involved.

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Assessment Complete

2008-03-09T12:24:00.001-04:00

Bank keeps interest rates on hold

2008-03-06T08:35:00.004-05:00

The Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep interest rates on hold at 5.25%.

The decision was in line with analyst and market expectations.

Analysts have highlighted that the Bank faces the threat of a slowing economy at a time when inflationary pressures are rising.

In February, the bank cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point from 5.5%, amid signs of a slowdown

Link!!!

So holding of interest rates can be a good thing. They are definitely not increasing which is a good thing.

GRADE THIS POST!!!

House prices continuing to slow

2008-03-06T08:26:00.004-05:00

House prices are continuing to slow down, says the Halifax, the UK's biggest mortgage lender.

According to its latest monthly survey, prices across the UK fell by 0.3% in February, taking the annual rate of inflation down from 4.5% to 4.2%.

That means the average UK home now costs £196,649, according to the lender's calculations.

The Halifax said prices would be flat over the coming year if the economy and employment continued to grow.

"House prices fell by 0.3% in February. Prices in the three months to February, however, were marginally (0.2%) higher than in the previous quarter," said Martin Ellis, the Halifax's chief economist.

LINK!

So the oil prices are at an all time high, the American dollar value is continuing to fall, but if you are looking to buy a house in the UK now is the time. The Home prices are continuing to fall

Grade This

USA vs. England at Wembley

2008-03-06T08:25:00.002-05:00

CHICAGO (AP) - The U.S. soccer team is likely to play an exhibition game against England at Wembley on May 28, with negotiations nearing the final stages in recent days.

The match, which could feature David Beckham making his 100th appearance for England, would be the first between the nations since the English defeated the United States 2-0 at Chicago's Soldier Field on May 28, 2005.

After beating Sweden 2-0 and tying Mexico 2-2 in its first two games this year, the Americans play at Poland on March 26 and at Spain on June 4. They also may host Argentina at a Northeast U.S. site on June 8.

Sports news

This is a great matchup between an up-and-coming American team and a struggling English side. The Americans are setting up a challenging friendly schedule before their first World Cup qualifying match. The English, who missed the Euro tournament, need to save some face in the eyes of their fans.

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Lethal Nurse

2008-03-04T08:35:00.002-05:00

A nurse who murdered four elderly hospital patients has been ordered to serve at least 30 years in prison.

Colin Norris, 32, from Egilsay Terrace, Glasgow, denied killing the women with insulin at two Leeds hospitals in 2002.

He was convicted on Monday at Newcastle Crown Court and was also found guilty of attempting to murder another woman.

News

It is scary that a nurse can commit acts such as these. They are allowed access to all sorts of medicines and drugs. What if it happens again? How can it be stopped?

Grade this post.

'Mixed picture' on 24hr drinking

2008-03-04T08:33:00.004-05:00

A government review of new licensing laws has found what it calls a "mixed picture" of their impact.

Crime and alcohol consumption are down overall but some areas have seen a rise in disorder and drink-related violence has increased in the early hours.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said councils and police need to do more to use "the considerable powers" open to them to tackle the problem.

Shadow home secretary David Davis said ministers were "deluding themselves".

LINK!!!

Alcohol related crimes may be down, but the government seems to be concerned about it anyways. I is a mixed picture of sorts.

Grade this

Liverpool to Dubai

2008-03-04T08:28:00.004-05:00

Liverpool's owners have been given a £400m take-it-or-leave-it offer from Dubai International Capital to buy the club, BBC Sport understands.

Government-run Dubai investment fund DIC have been in talks with George Gillett and Tom Hicks to buy the club.

BBC 5 Live understands Gillett is willing to sell, but co-owner Hicks is not, but both have to agree to sell for any deal to go through.

Story

This story gives an insight into business goings-on in Great Britain. It shows that the continent is not that big of an area if a group from Dubai can bid on a team in England. This would never happen in the United States.

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Assessment Complete

2008-03-02T14:22:00.001-05:00

"I've Seen Sunny Days I Thought Would Never End"

2008-02-28T21:48:00.004-05:00

The UK has had the sunniest February on record, the Met Office has revealed.

Sunshine totals up to 27 February reveal the UK-wide figure for the month was 106.1 hours - the previous record was 94.4 hours in 1970.

BBC forecaster Alex Deakin said "particularly long-lived" high pressure for much of the month had brought with it clear skies.

But, he said, the sunny spells were set to end, with windy weather likely to start March.

Linkage

GLOBAL WARMING!!! or not. In my opinion I like the sun. I really don't believe that global warming is as big of an issue as everyone seems to think.

Go ahead and Grade it please

Immigration points system begins

2008-02-28T21:39:00.003-05:00

A long-expected overhaul of the UK's immigration system has come into force with the launch of a point-based system for foreign workers.

The first stage of the system becomes operational on Friday - and will apply fully by the end of the summer.

Ministers say the changes are the biggest for a generation - and will allow the UK to better control migrants from outside EU.

But the Conservatives say they want an annual cap on the numbers allowed in.

Link

As an American it is always interesting seeing other countries deal with the same issues that America deals with. It shows that some issues are truly global.

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Front Line Harry

2008-02-28T20:32:00.002-05:00

Prince Harry has been fighting the Taleban on the front line in Afghanistan, the MoD has confirmed.

Harry, 23, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province.

The prince joked about his nickname "the bullet magnet", but said: "I finally get the chance to do the soldiering that I want to do."

Story

Prince Harry has been on the front line for ten weeks according to the Ministry of Defense. I commend Harry for his bravery for it cannot be easy for anyone, especially one as high profile as a prince, to be on the front line.

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New Ferry Rates

2008-02-26T08:35:00.002-05:00

A scheme aimed at cutting the cost of ferry journeys to and from the Western Isles has been announced by the Scottish Government.

The pilot scheme will involve three main island routes and will cost about £22m to operate over three years.

Locals said the current £140 return car fare from the mainland to Stornoway holds back tourism and development.

Read the rest of the story

Lowering the price of passage on the ferry should increase the number of tourists to the isles. It is a big step in helping their economies. No longer will people have to pay the equivalent of $280 to ride the ferry.

Grade this post.

Terror Recruiter Convicted

2008-02-26T08:29:00.003-05:00

A man said to be one of the most important recruiters for Islamist extremism in the UK has been convicted at the end of a major trial.

Mohammed Hamid, 50, of east London was found guilty of training men in secret camps in the Lake District and New Forest to prepare them to fight abroad.

Among those to have passed through Hamid's camps were the four failed suicide bombers of 21 July 2005.

Convicted

This is a great step in the fight against terror in the UK. The world is now a safer place since he has been captured and now he will not be able to hurt any more people.

Grade this post.

Bellfield given 'whole life' term

2008-02-26T08:25:00.005-05:00

A man who murdered two young women and tried to kill a third has been given a "whole life" sentence.

Levi Bellfield, 39, from west London, bludgeoned Amelie Delagrange, 22, and Marsha McDonnell, 19, after they got off buses in south-west London.

He was also found guilty of trying to kill Kate Sheedy, then 18, in 2004 and has been named as a prime suspect in the 2002 murder of Milly Dowler, 13.

Bellfield refused to attend sentencing because of "overnight bad publicity".

HEY LINK!!!

In this country, America, this man would probably be put to death. I am glad the UK is not doing such a gruesome act. This man deserves to be punished, and I am glad he is being punished justly.

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Assessment Complete

2008-02-24T15:51:00.001-05:00

Call to halt cheap alcohol offers

2008-02-21T08:52:00.002-05:00

The government needs to introduce tougher measures to limit the sale of cheap alcohol, doctors warn.

A British Medical Association report said pricing and promotion of drinks was fuelling an "alcohol epidemic".

It called for an end to happy hours in pubs and cut-price supermarket deals as well as improved access to treatment.

LINK!!!

So it is a health issue to have such accessable alcohol for people. Cheap alcohol is typically not the best for you and it is the most abused. It can caus liver diseases.

Grade this

Child obesity 'a major problem'

2008-02-21T08:40:00.004-05:00

Almost one in four five-year olds and one in three 11-year olds is overweight or obese, according to the national child measurement programme.

In 2006/07, 80% of children in England starting and finishing primary school took part in the weighing scheme, compared with half the previous year.

Rates of obesity are worst in the North East, West Midlands and London, the NHS Information Centre report said.

Campaigners said awareness of what was a "normal weight" needed to improve.

The measurement scheme, which children can opt out of, came under fire in 2005/6 because only 48% of children were weighed.

Link

So children are fatter than they need to be. I am not saying it is a good thing however I think it is understandable. There are more entertaining things to do besides play outside these days, i have like 300 tv channels, that is a lot compared to the three there used to be. Also "back in the day" there was not a McDonalds around every corner. It is not good, just understandable.

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Missing Girl Seen

2008-02-21T08:39:00.002-05:00

Detectives searching for a missing nine-year-old girl are treating a reported sighting of her the day after she disappeared as "significant."

Shannon Matthews, of Moorside Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was last seen leaving school in the town on Tuesday.

Det Supt Andy Brennan said police had spoken to a witness who believed he had seen Shannon on Wednesday morning.

Linky

The young girl has been missing since Tuesday. It is odd that someone has seen her but did nothing to help. Also, the fact that Shannon said she wanted to run away is interesting. Could it be another case of a child running away or is it something worse?

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British Airways Pilots on Strike

2008-02-21T08:34:00.003-05:00

British Airways pilots have voted to go on strike in a dispute over the airline's plans to launch a new transatlantic subsidiary.

The British Airline Pilots Association says the airline plans to staff BA OpenSkies with crews on inferior terms to those of existing staff.

Balpa, which represents 3,000 BA pilots, says 86% voted to strike. Turnout was 90%.

Click here.

Pilots are afraid that their terms and conditions will be affected by this new subsidiary. BA has said it will not, thus squabbling has ensued. However, if the pilots are stalwart in their cause, much like the writers in the U.S., they can get what they want.

Grade this post.

Dylan, Here Are a Few Links

2008-02-21T08:30:00.002-05:00

Beware Liberty Without Democracy

Hoppe on Democracy: The God That Failed

Early release for foreign inmates

2008-02-21T08:29:00.005-05:00

Foreign prisoners are to be released earlier because of overcrowding in jails in England and Wales, the government has announced.

Justice Minister David Hanson said foreign inmates could now be deported 270 days before serving half their sentence - rather than the present 135.

The Ministry of Justice said all those freed would be deported, not released onto Britain's streets.

Last week, the prison population reached a record high of 81,918.

LINK:

If your prisons are overpopulated it is time to move some people out, especially if the population reached a record 81,918. It is never a good thing to release dangerous inmates, but you have to do what you have to do.

Grade this:

Gas Profits Jump Dramatically

2008-02-21T08:27:00.003-05:00

Energy supplier British Gas has reported annual profits of £571m at its residential arm, up from £95m in 2006.

The news came as Centrica, British Gas' parent company, reported a 40% rise in operating profits to £1.95bn.

Trade union Unison said the profit was "obscene", coming so soon after British Gas raised the amount it charges for gas and electricity by 15%.

Story

This proves that gas is an expensive commodity everywhere, not just the U.S. However, it doesn't have to be this outrageously expensive. With energy problems prevalent, the gas companies are able to turn record profits. They are benefitting on the public's lack of knowledge. It isn't right and will not stop until a large group of citizens finally take a stand.

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Assessment Complete

2008-02-18T08:30:00.001-05:00

Olympic boycott has 'no purpose'

2008-02-14T08:44:00.003-05:00

Any call for a boycott of this summer's Beijing Games would be counter-productive, the Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell has said.

Her comments come after a group of Nobel Prize winners, international athletes and politicians wrote a letter to the Chinese president.

It asks him to use his influence in Sudan to end the conflict in Darfur.

Tessa Jowell said calls for a boycott Were a "great pity" and Britain was still committed to attending the games.

Linkage

I understand that yeah... the conflict needs to end, but the Olympics have not been boycotted since i believe the eighties, in the cold war. That is going backwards.

Grade please:

Police are told they can use Taser guns on children???

2008-02-14T08:36:00.002-05:00

Police have been given the go-ahead to use Taser stun guns against children.

The relaxing of restrictions on the use of the weapons comes despite warnings that they could trigger a heart attack in youngsters.

Until now, Tasers - which emit a 50,000-volt electric shock - have been used only by specialist officers as a "non lethal" alternative to firearms.

However, they can now be used against all potentially violent offenders even if they are unarmed.

link here:

So now the British Police can tase small inocent children, what is going on? If a child is an imminent threat okay, but come on!

Grade this.

9/11 case pilot can claim damages

2008-02-14T08:22:00.006-05:00

A pilot wrongly accused of training the 9/11 hijackers is entitled to claim damages, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Judges said evidence suggested police and prosecutors were responsible for "serious defaults" in detaining Lotfi Raissi in jail for nearly five months.

The ruling means the government has to reconsider the 33-year-old's claim for compensation, which it had refused.

Mr Raissi wants an apology and says his claim may run into millions of pounds. The government has said it may appeal

Link:

I would be ticked off to if someone said I knowingly trained terrorists and i hadn't. We will see what this mans fate will be. I don't think he will get anything, the country was just looking for someone in a time of panic.

Grade this:

Diana Saga Continues

2008-02-14T08:22:00.002-05:00

Former Met police chief Lord Stevens has demanded an apology for criticisms of his report into Princess Diana's death, as he testified at her inquest.

He led an inquiry into the 1997 Paris crash in which the princess died, which ruled it had been a "tragic accident".

Lord Stevens said over the years he had been accused of being negligent and being influenced by other parties.

News

The tragic saga concerning Princess Diana's death continues. How long will it be before the people can accept that this event happened and it could have been an accident? As I have said earlier, it is JFK all over again.

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E.Coli Inquiry

2008-02-12T08:36:00.000-05:00

A public inquiry into an E.coli outbreak which affected more than 150 people has opened with a minute's silence for a five-year-old who died.

Most of those who fell ill in 2005 in south Wales were children. Mason Jones, of Bargoed in Caerphilly county, died.

Butcher William Tudor, who supplied contaminated meat and was jailed last year, will not be compelled to give evidence, the hearing was told.

News

This was the largest E.Coli outbreak in Wales and it affected 44 schools. Tudor's company was shut down after the outbreak. It is sad that it affected children and took one's life.

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Grade this post.

Illegal Downloads are Illegal

2008-02-12T08:28:00.000-05:00

People in the UK who go online and illegally download music and films may have their internet access cut under plans the government is considering.

A draft consultation Green Paper suggests internet service providers would be required to take action over users who access pirated material.

Under a "three strikes" rule they would receive an e-mail warning, suspension, and then termination of their contract.

Story

The British are going to cut the internet access of those who download illegally. This seems to be a better idea than suing and hanging prison sentences in front of people a la the United States. It looks to be a more viable alternative to the US method.

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Assessment Complete

2008-02-10T07:53:00.001-05:00

Bank cuts interest rates to 5.25%

2008-02-07T23:01:00.000-05:00

The Bank of England's rate-setting committee has cut interest rates to 5.25% from 5.5% amid signs that the UK economy is slowing down.

Analysts had widely predicted the move, which followed recent cuts in the US, where the Federal Reserve has slashed its borrowing costs to 3% from 4.25%.

However, the Bank of England signalled it was unlikely to be as aggressive because of fears over rising prices.

Several mortgage lenders said the rate cut would be passed on to borrowers.

Link:

It is always important to keep up with the economy of your nation. All this shows is that economy is slowing slightly.

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Archbishop sparks Sharia law row

2008-02-07T22:47:00.000-05:00

Leading politicians have distanced themselves from the Archbishop of Canterbury's belief that some Sharia law in the UK seems "unavoidable".

Gordon Brown's spokesman said the prime minister "believes that British laws should be based on British values".

The Tories called the archbishop's remarks "unhelpful" and the Lib Dems said all must abide by the rule of law.

Linkage:

This is a classic case of religion getting in the middle of politics. I don't know if things work differantly in thr UK dealing with things such as this, however my american bias sees it as inappropriate tha an archbishop can say things such as this.

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UK approves Abu Hamza extradition

2008-02-07T22:36:00.000-05:00

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has approved the extradition of radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the United States on terror charges.

Abu Hamza, 49, of west London is wanted by the US authorities on charges which include providing support to Al Qaeda.

The Egypt-born preacher is currently serving a seven-year jail term in the UK for inciting murder and race hate.

Read rest here:

In this article the UK gives the responsibility of handling the extremist Abu Hamza al-Masri. Ptential jail time could reach 100 years if he is not exicuted.

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Streets of Glasgow

2008-02-05T08:34:00.000-05:00

Glasgow is blighted by "epidemic" levels of drug and alcohol abuse and has the same number of teenage gangs as London, according to a think tank.

The right-leaning Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) said the city's economic recovery had been hampered by appalling levels of social deprivation.

Its report predicted that half of all families in Glasgow would be headed by a lone parent eight years from now.

Story

It is a sad state of events when a city is diagnosed with this kind of problem. The truly unfortunate thing is that in eight years 50% of families in Glasgow will only have one parent. That is the problem. The family is not strong in this Scottish town and that must change. If Glasgow wants the problem to be reversed then action needs to be taken immediately.

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Strike of the Intelligencia?

2008-02-05T08:29:00.000-05:00

More than 120 schools in Birmingham have closed as thousands of council workers stage a 24-hour strike.

Up to 20,000 staff voted to strike over plans to restructure pay bands. Unions have claimed they were not consulted.

The walkout has also forced the closure of about 20 libraries and around 10 leisure centres and there have been no bin collections.

Read here.

The restructuring of pay bands could help 45% of those affected. However, according to the article, some others could lose 18,000 pounds. Therefore, council workers decided to strike without the consultation of the union. It will cause a headache for some, but for the children, it will be like a second Christmas.

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Police Bug Police

2008-02-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

The ex-police officer who claims he bugged an MP's visit to a jailed constituent says his life is "at risk" after the case was leaked to the media.

Mark Kearney, a former police intelligence officer at Woodhill Prison in Milton Keynes, says he did not think it was right to bug MP Sadiq Khan.

But he claimed the Met Police put him under "significant pressure" to do so.

Link

The Metropolitan Police are coming under heat for one MP bugging another MP. Khan did not know that he was being bugged at the time. It is interesting that the Metropolitan Police believe they need to bug their own members. I wonder how many times this has happened and for what reasons?

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Assessment Complete

2008-02-04T08:40:00.001-05:00

New Car= New Jobs= All Good

2008-01-31T08:40:00.000-05:00

Almost 800 new jobs are being created at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland, thanks to the success of the firm's new Qashqai model.

More than 130,000 of the small 4X4 vehicles have been sold in Europe since their launch in March 2007.

By December 2008, the firm wants to make 400 staff permanent, with the remainder on temporary contracts.

About 850 Qashqai's roll off the production line every day. An extra night-shift is now being introduced.

Read rest HERE!!!!!!!

New jobs are always a good thing for any nation. It not only lowers the unemployment rate, but helps the ecomnomy. this will have much the same effect as the KIA plant in LaGrange, GA.

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Win for disability rights woman

2008-01-31T08:33:00.000-05:00

A British woman has won the initial stages of a landmark legal case at the European Court of Justice which could give new rights to millions of carers.

Advocate-General agreed that Sharon Coleman suffered "discrimination by association".

The legal secretary claimed her former London employers Attridge Law described her as "lazy" for wanting time off to care for her disabled son.

A panel of European judges will make a final ruling later this year.

read the rest of the STORY:

The Could this be the "landmark case" that changes Great Britian dramatically? Is the the next Row vs. Wade? Probably not, but it is a big deal for right now. This is a question of morals. "Work or care for my disabled son?"

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Woman-in-Tights

2008-01-31T08:29:00.000-05:00

The Queen has approved the House of Commons' first female Serjeant at Arms - head of a security team colloquially known as the "men in tights".

Mother-of-two Jill Pay, who has been assistant serjeant since 2004, takes up the historic role which usually goes to an ex-serviceman.

She manages security and housekeeping issues, and is the only person in the Commons allowed to carry a sword.

Here is the Story.

The Serjeant at Arms is a high position in the British Parliament system. It cannot cast a vote, however, it does ensure the protection of the representatives. The fact that a female has finally be promoted to the job is a step in the right direction for equality. Also, she carries a sword. I can't think of a time a person would need a sword in the House of Commons, but it must have a traditional place of honor.

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Kicked Out of School

2008-01-29T08:36:00.000-05:00

The number of pupils being excluded for bad behaviour in Scottish schools has increased in the last year.

A report said overall exclusions had risen by 4% in 2006/07 to 44,794.

Schools Minister Maureen Watt said she was "extremely concerned" that exclusions, which she believed should be a last resort, had gone up.

Linkage to story.

In Scotland, students can be kicked out of school for physical violence. This is a very large problem in the country, according to the statistics. The blame should be focused not only on the student but on the family as well. What is going on in the homes of Scotland if almost 45 thousand kids can be chucked out of school for violence. Is there that much violence in Scotland?

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Housing Prices Fall in Great Britain

2008-01-29T08:29:00.000-05:00

Average prices fell by 0.4% in December, bringing the annual inflation rate down from 8.1% in November to 6.7% last month.

The December fall was the first decline recorded by the Land Registry since August 2005, although prices grew in three individual regions.

It said the latest data was "a clear indication of a weakening market".

Here is the BBC STORY.

This article is showing that not only is the housing market is declining in the United States but around the world. Due to the lack of spending, inflation has gone down in Great Britain as well. An economic downturn in Europe is not something that the global economy needs, especially with the recent slippage in Asian and American stock markets.

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Man admits plot to behead soldier

2008-01-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

A 37-year-old Birmingham man has pleaded guilty to plotting to kidnap and kill a British soldier.

Parviz Khan, an unemployed charity worker, intended to seize and behead the unnamed Muslim serviceman "like a pig", Leicester Crown Court was told.

Three other men, Basiru Gassama, 30, Mohammed Irfan, 31, and Hamid Elasmar, 44, have admitted other offences connected with Khan's plot.

The court heard Amjad Mahmood, 32, and Zahoor Iqbal, 30, denied involvement.

Read rest here:

Time and time again we learn that people can be and are very, very scary. Even though this man was British born he still had an idea of killing his own countryman because he was an extremist. Luckily he was caught before any wrong doings were committed.

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Assessment Complete

2008-01-27T09:48:00.001-05:00

Terror detention plans unveiled

2008-01-24T08:52:00.001-05:00

The government has published its plans to allow the police to hold terrorism suspects for up to 42 days before they are charged.

The Counter Terrorism Bill proposes extending the limit beyond the current 28 days.

Some senior police officers support the move but it could be beaten by Lib Dem, Tory and rebel Labour MPs.

Attempts to extend the limit to 90 days in 2005 ended in then prime minister Tony Blair's first Commons defeat.

Read rest here:

Terrorists need to get out of the public and in jail at the very minimum. The UK appears to have passed a bill that allows this to happen to some extent. I think it is a good thing, but it could be longer than 42 days.

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Council tax set to rise by 4%

2008-01-24T08:42:00.001-05:00

Council tax bills in England are set to rise by about 4% on average this year, the BBC has learned.

A Local Government Association study of 100 draft council budgets suggests some councils may put bills up by nearly 5%.

The projected charge for an average Band D property for 2007-8 will be £1,373, the research suggests.

The association has warned that many local authorities will still have to ration or cut services despite the increases in tax.

Read rest Here:

Taxes are rising in the UK. in some places it will reach 5%. If increases were to continue at such a rate, householders would be paying out £1,500 a year on average by 2011.

Grade this post.

Will Ferrell = James Joyce?

2008-01-24T08:42:00.000-05:00

US comedian Will Ferrell has appeared before students at University College Dublin to accept its James Joyce Award.

Ferrell said he shared much in common with the author, as they both lived much of their lives outside Ireland.

Previous winners of the honour given by its literary and historical society include academic Noam Chomsky and UN weapons inspector Hans Blix.

Streaking through the Quad and into the link.

Well, um, Will Ferrell has received the James Joyce Award from University College Dublin...Other than the fact that they are both famous, I do not understand why Ferrell would receive such a prestigeous award. If this is what Northern Ireland is coming to then I truly feel sorry for the entire British Isles. Past winners Noam Chomsky and Hans Blix...I wonder if they feel their award is lessened in any way? Also, would the author of Ulysses have given this award to a comedian? We all need time to ponder that one.

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Police Take Kids

2008-01-24T08:35:00.000-05:00

Six young children have been taken into care following police raids in Berkshire targeting suspected Eastern European gangs and child trafficking.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police, the British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police swooped on 17 addresses across Slough in dawn raids.

Nineteen people were held on suspicion of immigration breaches, deception, fraud and theft in London's West End.

Here it is...the link

The police took custody of six kids due to fear of their welfare. The fact that child trafficking goes on is appalling and kudos to the police for trying to put a stop to it. Also, these kids were under ten years of age. People who participate in these offenses should be brought to justice...swiftly.

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Crime decreases in England and Wales

2008-01-24T08:31:00.001-05:00

Recorded crime in England and Wales fell by 9% from July to September last year compared with the same period in the previous year.

The Home Office said there was a 4% rise in gun crime during the third quarter of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006.

There were 10,182 firearms offences in the year to September, compared with 9,755 in the previous year.

linky

Crime has decreased inEngland and Wales recently. This is a positive sign that the police's policy of no guns could be working. If America chose to go this route I believe crime would get much worse before it gets better. The culture is very different.

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Peter Hain resigns from Cabinet

2008-01-24T08:31:00.000-05:00

Peter Hain has quit the Cabinet after his deputy leader campaign donations were referred to the Met Police.

Mr Hain, work and pensions secretary and Wales secretary, said he had stood down so he could "clear my name".

He quit within minutes of the Electoral Commission saying that it had decided to refer the late declaration of £103,000 of donations to the police.

Mr Hain has blamed poor administration and has said the suggestion he tried to hide anything was "absurd".

read rest here:

In recent British news Peter Hain has been ridiculed for "wrong doings" in the British media. He was the Wales secretary before his resignation. £103,000 was given to the met police from campaign money. Though he has resigned he denies any wrong doing in his administration. Grade this post.

Fish and Chips!!!

2008-01-21T14:28:00.000-05:00

You wanted it. You needed it. Here it is...the long anticipated fish and chips post that will propel the Great Britain blog to the top of the charts. And now, it begins....

Dylan and I went to a local establishment to sample their fares. Captain D's was the choice and I must say, it wasn't a good one. Although it could have been worse, it is hard to imagine.

I mean, honestly, does that look very appetizing to you? Well, we felt the same way. I was afraid to touch it because it might still be living and Dylan felt that only sauces could make the difference. And so, sauces it was.
I must say, it did make a little bit of difference. I was actually able to eat the so called "fish." The chips were good, but it was overshadowed by the overwelming fear of possible food poisoning.
Ok, so with fear of food poisoning greatly affecting our appetites we decided to head on out of this local "restaurant." STOP

On the whole, this version of the British favorite wasn't very good. I rate the food at a 5, Dylan has it coming in at a 7. However, if food poisoning occurs the rating could go negative. Good times were had all around, though. If you would like to see the other photos from today, you can either request them through comments or go to facebook where Dylan published the album. STOP

Tune in next week for our discussion on British music. It will feature Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Who, and many others. It should be exciting and fun to read. STOP

(P.S. I apologize for the lack of paragraphs at the bottom. For some reason the blog will not allow me to put a space in between the lines. Therefore, I was reduced to telegram line breaks. Again, sorry for the inconvenience.) STOP

Assessment Complete

2008-01-20T20:23:00.001-05:00

Video Links

2008-01-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

If you decide to peruse our video links, you will find a diverse collection of films. They will span from governmental videos to videos featuring British culture. Take a look and enjoy...

Fish and Chips You Say?

2008-01-17T18:12:00.000-05:00

That's right. Next week, the Great Britain blog from first period (Letter G in your program, #1 in your heart) will be doing an exposé on that British favorite, fish and chips. Dylan and I will be making a pilgrimage to a local restaurant and we will sample the famous British cuisine. So be sure to read the blog next week and you might find that fish and chips is the meal that has been missing in your life for so long.

This is part 1 of an indefinite part series on British culture. Stay tuned to the top right of the blog for a preview of the upcoming installments.

English for All!

2008-01-17T08:42:00.000-05:00

PM Gordon Brown

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a new internet project to vastly expand the teaching of English.

A teach-yourself-English site will also allow people worldwide to make use of a form of one-to-one tuition using internet telephony systems.

Mr Brown said it would be aimed first at China and initial hopes were for it to get one million hits a week.

And now, the rest of the story...

Brown wants everyone to be able to learn English, no matter their position in life. If his plan works, the world could become a much smaller place because of more English speakers. However, it has yet to be seen how willing China will be in letting its people learn English in this setting.

Why Britain withholds Lugovoi evidence

2008-01-17T08:40:00.000-05:00

In the diplomatic tit-for-tat over the Alexander Litvinenko affair, Britain is refusing to take one step open to it under a European convention governing extradition.

It could give the Russian authorities the evidence it has against the former KGB officer Andrei Lugovoi and ask them to take over the case themselves.

In theory, it could publish the evidence itself in any event. This would show to the world how strong its case is. Without such information, it is much easier for Russia to dismiss the
extradition request as politically motivated.

However, the British government is afraid that the Russians might simply dismiss the evidence or use it to put Mr Lugovoi on trial, perhaps in secret, and then announce that he had been acquitted. Either way, the proceedings would thereby be ended.

Read rest here

This evidence could, according to the article, could break this case wide open. However the release of this information could prove to be risky for the British. In my opinion the British need to sack up and just release the information. I am sure that everyone is ready for the end of this case.

No Police Protection?

2008-01-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales, would still be alive if she had retained her police protection, a former chief policeman has told the inquest into her death.

Lord Condon, chief of the Metropolitan Police when she died, said he had begged her to reinstate her protection.

She refused to change her mind as she did not trust police, the court heard.

Read the rest of the story

According to this article, Diana would not have died if she had police protection. Obviously, Diana's death has grown to legendary proportions. It now ranks, in this blog's opinion, as Britain's Kennedy assassination. Conspiracy theories and hand wringing on security decisions abound.

UK inflation steady in December

2008-01-15T08:59:00.000-05:00

UK inflation remained unchanged in December, official figures have shown.

Last month's Consumer Prices Index figure - the government's preferred measurement - held at 2.1% for a third month in succession.

The biggest inflationary pressure was continuing high food prices, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The Retail Price Index inflation measurement, which includes mortgage interest payments, eased to 4% from 4.3% in November.

Read the rest Here

Inflation is bad for all economies. It improved for britian as of late. Traditionally Britian has had a better inflation rate than the United States.

Blasphemy Illegal?

2008-01-09T18:14:00.000-05:00

Evan Harris

Apparently, it is in Britain. Before Parliament now is a bill that will repeal the law that makes "blasphemy and blasphemous libel" illegal. The article states that the last conviction under this law was in 1979. Therefore, it has become an issue of bureaucratic "housekeeping." Even in recent years, an evangelical group tried to prosecute someone under this law but it was thrown out. Dr. Evan Harris was quoted as saying, "The Almighty does not really need the protection of these ridiculous laws and that's why large numbers of people of a religious perspective share the view that these offences need to be abolished." He has withdrawn his amendment, though, due to threats of opposition. This article is significant because it shows that some members of Parliament feel that some laws need to be abolished if they are obsolete and not necessary. It is much better to do go through these channels and get this out-dated bill abolished than let it sit and stagnate for hundreds of years as Britain has been known to do with some of its assets and holdings.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7178439.stm

Helpful Suggestions and Constructive Criticisms

2008-01-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

I will post stuff here to help you from time to time.