United Kingdom

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Branson's Next Launch: Virgin Internet Bank

Exploiting the public's discontent with banks, Virgin could bid for Northern Rock

(Newser) - Capitalizing on public disgust with Britain’s big banks, Richard Branson plans to launch an Internet bank through subsidiary Virgin Money that will take deposits and offer mortgages, the Guardian reports. Branson is talking to investors and some US banks about financial backing and could set in motion more ambitious...

English Pub Gets Around Smoking Ban
English Pub Gets Around Smoking Ban
May 13, 2009 12:26 PM CDT

English Pub Gets Around Smoking Ban

Turning bar into 'smoking research facility' makes it legal

(Newser) - One British pub has found a way around the country’s smoking ban, one that could send the entire law up in smoke. Owner Kerry Fenton has turned her bar’s tap room into a “Smoking Research Center.” Would-be puffers need only fill out a questionnaire asking how...

US Threatens to Limit Intel Sharing With UK

... if British courts release details on Guantanamo abuse

(Newser) - The Obama administration says it will cut down on intelligence sharing with the UK if British courts reveal details on the treatment of a former Guantanamo detainee, the Washington Times reports. In a letter to the British Foreign Office, the administration says that releasing a report on the treatment of...

Giant Jelly Storms UK Beach
 Giant Jelly Storms UK Beach 
May 12, 2009 1:22 AM CDT

Giant Jelly Storms UK Beach

(Newser) - Bathers at a British beach were flummoxed today by the sight of a 4-foot jellyfish that washed up on the shore near Devon, the Telegraph reports. It’s one of the biggest jellies to be found in the UK and unusually large for the Rootmouth species, which experts say usually...

Media Playing Dirty in Brown Expenses Flap
Media Playing Dirty in Brown Expenses Flap
OPINION
May 11, 2009 11:39 AM CDT

Media Playing Dirty in Brown Expenses Flap

PM's sister-in-law hits back after fiasco over housekeeping

(Newser) - British politicians have endured four days' worth of brutal press coverage after a newspaper published leaked parliamentary expense accounts, which include claims for everything from major home renovations to a Kit Kat bar. Gordon Brown, normally thought of as a frugal preacher's son, expensed $10,000 for cleaning—made payable...

Bulletproof Turban in Development for UK's Sikh Cops

(Newser) - Scientists are developing a bulletproof turban that would allow Britain’s Sikh police officers to handle firearms and become riot cops, the Telegraph reports. The religion requires men keep their turbans on at all times, barring them from wearing helmets required in certain high-risk scenarios. “There needs to be...

UK Shop Ends Bra-Size Discrimination

Surcharge for large-chested women corrected after public uproar

(Newser) - British retailer Marks & Spencer has agreed to standardize prices across bra sizes so bustier women won’t pay more for their undergarments, the BBC reports. The store ran advertisements in UK newspapers admitting it had “boobed” by adding an extra $3 for bras over DD size. It was...

Martha's Banned From Britain, Too

(Newser) - American shock jock Michael Savage is only the latest celebrity banned from entering the UK; Mental Floss compiles a list of other notables:
  • Martha Stewart: “It’s frankly hard to believe that any country would want to ban Martha, domestic goddess of all that is clean and organized and
...

Libya Seeks Transfer of Dying Lockerbie Bomber

Scotland has final say over inmate's fate

(Newser) - Libya is pressing the Scottish government to OK a transfer that would allow a terminally ill Lockerbie conspirator to die at home, the BBC reports. The prisoner, who was convicted in 2001 for his role in the 1988 Pan Am bombing, would have to drop an appeal that's currently being...

UK Publishes List of Banned 'Extremists'

US radio host Savage named among those fostering 'hatred'

(Newser) - Britain for the first time has published a list of people barred from entering the country for what the government says is fostering extremism or hatred. The list includes popular US talk-radio host Michael Savage, who has called the Koran a "book of hate” and has enraged parents of...

30 Years On, Thatcher Still Divides

Britain's first female PM polarized during her rule, and after

(Newser) - Thirty years ago today British voters elected Margaret Thatcher in a landmark election, ushering in 18 years of Conservative rule. She remains a polarizing figure: her enemies still regard her as nearly diabolical, while her admirers speak of her as a saint. The Telegraph looks back on her tumultuous 11-year...

British Cabinet Starts to Rebel Against Brown

After a bad week, PM's deputy suggests she wants to lead Britain

(Newser) - A disastrous week for Gordon Brown has reignited speculation that the British prime minister could be forced out of his job, as senior Labour figures struggled to rein in a restless party. After losing a vote on soldiers' rights and backing down on proposed reforms, Brown is facing renewed calls...

Turner Prize Nods Include Crystal Cave

Four artists up for $36,000 art prize

(Newser) - A diverse quartet of artists has been nominated for this year's Turner Prize, one of the art world's most visible awards. Two artists from London and two from Glasgow are up for the UK prize, which comes with a $36,000 purse. They will exhibit their work, which runs the...

UK Minister Denies He Bet Governing Party Would Falter

Lord West got 66-1 odds on Labour defeat

(Newser) - Lord Alan West, the UK’s colorful security minister, today denied he’d bet on the Labour party’s defeat in the next election, the Times of London reports. The Telegraph yesterday alleged that West placed the bet when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister, grabbing 66-1 odds....

Swine Flu Confirmed in UK
 Swine Flu Confirmed in UK 
Apr 27, 2009 1:48 PM CDT

Swine Flu Confirmed in UK

Pair brings disease home from a trip to Mexico

(Newser) - Two British citizens have contracted swine flu, the virus that has killed at least 149 people in Mexico and sickened 20 in the US, the Guardian reports. The pair returned from a trip to Mexico last week and fell ill, the Scottish health minister said today. Seven others who had...

Holder Visits Another Famous Torture Facility

On trip seeking help to close Gitmo, AG stops by Tower of London

(Newser) - Eric Holder arrived in London yesterday and paid a visit to a prison as notorious in its time as Guantanamo Bay, the AP reports. The attorney general listened quietly as his guide at the infamous Tower of London described scenes of torture—such as the interrogation of Guy Fawkes, who...

UK Privacy Cops Won't Block Google Street View

Privacy groups overruled in favor of technology

(Newser) - Google Street View can keep capturing everyday British embarrassments, the nation’s information commission says, rejecting privacy groups that hoped the tech giant would be stopped. The agency ruled such a drastic step “disproportionate to the relatively small risk of privacy detriment.” British law allows filming from public...

As Biz Fizzles, UK Pubs Hit Last Call

Cash-strapped Brits hit up supermarkets for cheaper booze

(Newser) - A proud British tradition is going down the drain as debt squeezes the two chains that own one-third of UK pubs, the Wall Street Journal reports. Instead of heading to their local establishments, many British drinkers pick up booze with their groceries for about half the price they'd pay at...

Obamas Visit the Queen, Bearing Gifts: iPod, Songbook

(Newser) - President Obama and Michelle Obama visited Buckingham Palace for a private meeting with Queen Elizabeth II, the AP reports. They brought gifts, ABC News reports: a personalized iPod and a rare songbook signed by the legendary American composer Richard Rodgers. Several thousand well-wishers crowded the traffic circle in front...

G20 Protesters Vandalize Bank
 G20 Protesters Vandalize Bank 
Apr 1, 2009 9:27 AM CDT

G20 Protesters Vandalize Bank

Already fighting police, crowd turns to looting RBS

(Newser) - The violent crowd protesting the G20 summit in London has broken into a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, smashing windows and carrying computers and furniture out into the streets. Riot police attempted to keep the protesters away from the building and in containment pens in the City, but...

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