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30 Oct 2010 11:50

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U.S., World: Terror threat: Suspicious device in UK meant to blow up plane

  • The target may have been an aircraft and had it detonated the aircraft could have been brought down. We do not believe that the perpetrators of the attack would have known the location of the device when it was planned to explode.
  • UK emergency planning committee Theresa May • Explaining the situation with the device found on a plane intercepted at a London airport yesterday. So yeah, the expected the thing to blow up. It didn’t. In other news, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano states the obvious. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Oct 2010 10:15

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World: The word of the day in Britain is “austerity.” Hey, budget cuts!

  • Hear that sound? That’s the sound of a bunch of Brits taking in the government’s new austerity measures, a tour that’s hit many other European nations already. (In some countries, such as France and Greece, the reaction has been harsh and violent.) They have a plan to decrease their spending within a few years, and much of the cut is going to come directly from their welfare state. They’re cutting in other places, too, but this is where the average person will feel it most:
  • 19% in overall spending cuts over the next four years
  • 2015 the year British finance minister George Osbourne says they want have the budget balanced
  • 490k the number of public sector job cuts Osbourne says they expect to make due to austerity measures source
  • 66 the new retirement age (by year 2020) – and France is bitching about retiring at 62
  • 24 the minimum number of hours that couples need to work to receive the Working Tax Credit
  • £7B the amount the government says it could save each year with new welfare cuts source
  • » Where they’re still heavily focused: The country is making great efforts towards green energy, investing in wind energy and cutting carbon. Still, it’s worth emphasizing that these are coming during a period where they’re making some of the harshest cuts since World War II.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Oct 2010 10:47

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Tech: Graduate student redesigns U.K. three-prong plug impeccably

  • So, here’s something you may not know about electrical outlets in the United Kingdom. The three-prongers are really freaking big. And not in a way that can usually be avoided. They’re very cumbersome, and make U.S. power outlets look svelte in comparison. Fortunately for the Brits, Royal College of Art graduate student Min-Kyu Choi is on the case with this device, which folds out only when necessary, and (even better) is designed in such a way that multiple cords can fit into one plug. Expect Apple to have a job offer at this guy’s feet by tomorrow morning. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Sep 2010 11:36

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U.S.: Proof the Pope is no longer in the Vatican: Terrorism arrests

  • 5 people arrested on terror charges related to the Pope source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Aug 2010 11:30

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World: UK to Libya: Don’t celebrate the Lockerbie Bomber’s release

  • Any celebration of Megrahi’s release will be tasteless, offensive and deeply insensitive to the victims’ families. We have made our concerns clear to the Libyan government.
  • A spokeswoman for the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office • Telling Libya very publicly not to celebrate the anniversary of the release of Abedelbaset Ali Mohmet al-Megrahi, the convicted Lockerbie bomber, who was released over seemingly terminal health issues, only to live the entire year after his release. As you might imagine, it’s a sore spot for the British. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Jun 2010 20:50

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Biz, U.S.: Fun oil spill fact: BP is just as much American as it is British

  • 40% the amount of the company owned by British shareholders; another 40 percent is owned by Americans
  • 7.3% the amount BP’s stock went up in the U.K. after the British government gave them a show of support today
  • 3.5% the amount the stock went up in the U.S. after the announcement; it’s been sucking in recent weeks source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 May 2010 10:48

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World: OK, everyone, guess how many nuclear warheads the U.K. has

  • 225 and not a single warhead more, kids source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

10 May 2010 12:15

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World: Big U.K. news: Gordon Brown’s resigning, Twitter’s reacting



Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Feb 2010 10:16

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Culture: Ray Gosling learns that admitting “mercy killing” on TV a bad idea

  • He was arrested today on suspicion of murder charges. BBC host Ray Gosling may regret his profound admission on “Inside Out” (here’s the video), now that he’s in the hands of authorities. Gosling, who admitted on the show to killing a former AIDS-stricken partner, was arrested for the act. “I picked up the pillow and smothered him until he was dead,” he claimed. “The doctor came back and I said ‘He’s gone’. Nothing more was ever said.” Assisted suicide is illegal in the U.K., by the way. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Dec 2009 11:06

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World: The U.K. isn’t against taxing massive executive bonuses, either

  • 50% one-time tax on massive banker pay; ouch source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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