http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/england/ en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:42:18 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417083/posts Television   Spooked by IslamistsNICK COHEN January/February 2010  Matt Damon as Jason Bourne: Killing machine who became a target A year after the 9/11 atrocities, I made a documentary for Channel 4 which involved trying to discover what had happened to terrorist suspects the prison service was holding without charge. The director filmed me putting questions to a low-level functionary at the Home Office press office. We hoped he would stonewall and thus unwittingly illustrate a sequence about Whitehall secrecy. Fortunately for us, he obfuscated like a true PR. Channel 4 wanted a witty line in the commentary to emphasise how hard it was... StandpointMag http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417083/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:42:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416846/posts LONDON, England - A London planning commission recently ruled that a London developer cannot turn St. Marks Church into a women's wellness center. In the 1800s, the Anglican Church, located in the Mayfair district on London's West End, echoed the sermons of some of Britain's great preachers. It was also the church where Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower and his staff worshipped during World War II. ... Commonwealth Church became a vital part of Mayfair, meeting the needs of the poor and elderly. But last year Commonwealth was evicted from St. Marks by the Church of England so that the... CBN News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416846/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:52:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416400/posts Great speech. A younger Sarah Palin. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2416400/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:26:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416023/posts  EXCLUSIVE Taliban Think They'll Explode As I Roar Over  Ready ... John with jet From DAVID WILLETTS in Afghanistan   Published: Today   AN RAF hero told yesterday how his squadron strikes terror into the Taliban - with fearsome Tornados. Flight Lieutenant John Pingree and his fellow aces roar low across the ground at 600mph, creating a noise so thunderous "it feels like your ribcage is going to explode". The manoeuvre - seen as "an aggressive show of force" - is so threatening they say it makes fanatics scurry into the hills. John, a navigator and weapons system officer known... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416023/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:35:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415390/posts Chris Hunt eats Monster Munch snacks for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is so obsessed with them he changed his name by deed poll to Mr Monster Munch. But he’s not as mad as you think – he does at least eat a different flavour for each meal. He munches on pickled onion Monster Munch to kick-start the day, has a roast beef Monster Munch sarnie for lunch and the flamin’ hot variety of the corn snack for his evening meal. The zany name-change was the result of a dare by his friends. Needless to say, they were somewhat taken... Metro http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2415390/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:31:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414061/posts Passengers stranded when modern-day trains fell victim to the freezing weather have been rescued by the crew of a steam engine. About 100 passengers climbed aboard the first mainline steam locomotive to be built in Britain for almost half a century at London Victoria when electric trains were delayed.  The 1940s technology used to power Tornado, a £3million Peppercorn class A1 Pacific, was able to withstand the snow and ice that brought much of the South East to a standstill on Monday night. Historic solution: The Tornado A1 locomotive came to the aid of stranded passengers let down by... The Daily Mail (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414061/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:36:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413321/posts A grandmother died after 'gross failures' by NHS doctors who injected her lungs with a chemical that was ten times the recommended strength, a coroner ruled today. Rosemary McFarlane, 64, spent ten days in 'burning agony' after receiving the lethal dose during what should have been a routine procedure. The caustic chemical, phosphate buffered saline, burned the inside of her lungs. The hospital's usual supplier had run out of the PBS fluid and a pharmacy was asked to provide the solution. It was bought over the internet by a junior pharmacist, who mistook '10x' on the label to mean ten... Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413321/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:21:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411995/posts The Islamist group Hamas is masterminding efforts to have senior Israeli leaders arrested for alleged war crimes when they visit European countries including Britain, a top Hamas official involved in the effort has told The Times. The claim comes amid continuing diplomatic fallout after a British arrest warrant was issued last week against Tzipi Livni, who served as Foreign Minister during Israel’s Gaza offensive last winter. The warrant was withdrawn when it became clear that Ms Livni, now leader of the opposition, was not in the country. Its existence apparently prompted her to cancel a trip to attend a meeting... TimesOnline.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411995/posts#comment Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:12:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411884/posts LONDON – The only passenger rail link between Britain and the rest of Europe has been shut down indefinitely, Eurostar said Sunday, promising more travel misery for thousands of stranded passengers just before Christmas. Services have been suspended since late Friday, when a series of glitches stranded five trains inside the Channel Tunnel and trapped more than 2,000 passengers for hours in stuffy and claustrophobic conditions. More than 55,000 passengers overall have been affected. Yahoo/AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411884/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:58:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410983/posts Four trains have broken down in the Channel Tunnel due to cold weather, as snow is expected to cause further disruption in parts of Britain. The temperature difference between the cold air and warm tunnel caused the trains to break down, Eurostar said. Passengers from two of the services have been moved to different trains; the other trains are to be pushed out. More snow and freezing temperatures are expected for parts of Scotland and south-east and eastern England. More than 2,000 people were trapped in the tunnel and some of the trains were without heating and lighting. Two further... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410983/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:53:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406268/posts A schoolboy has been suspended for 'crisp dealing' at a school which has banned fatty drinks and snacks. In sign of pupil disgruntlement over school meal reforms spearheaded by TV chef Jamie Oliver, 12-year-old Joel Bradley was caught allegedly selling a packet of Discos at a marked-up price of 50p. He was suspended from Liverpool's Cardinal Heenan High School because it was the second time he had been caught. His father, Joe, said the boy had been 'victimised' for an enterprise which could earn him as much as £15 a day. 'I think the school has made a beeline for... Daily Mail UK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406268/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:20:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2404737/posts Its pale, amber hue evokes a classic Scotch whisky, distilled in the wind-swept Highlands of Northern Scotland. But there's something rather unusual about this single malt: it was produced in England. For the first time in 100 years, a whisky made south of the border is going on sale. Produced at St. George's Distillery by the River Thet, nestled among the farms of Norfolk, the English Whisky Co's single malt has been rated as 'brilliant' by experts. Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2404737/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:27:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2403991/posts LONDON (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of England and Wales said they could be at risk of prosecution under a proposed law unless they accept women, sexually active gays and transsexuals as candidates to the priesthood. They made their claims in a briefing for Catholic members of the House of Lords, Britain's upper political chamber, ahead of a scheduled Dec. 15 debate on the Equality Bill, which aims to stamp out discrimination in the workplace. The bishops said the bill defines priests as employees rather than officeholders. Under the terms of the bill, the church would be immune from prosecution... cns http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2403991/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 20:55:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401612/posts Wheelie bins with microchips which measure how much rubbish they contain could be introduced to make householders cut down on their waste. Alternatively, under plans outlined by council leaders today, people could be charged according to the size of their bin or of their rubbish bags which they would buy from the local authority. The Local Government Association denied the plans would be a stealth tax to raise extra cash for councils. London Evening Standard http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401612/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 19:09:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400428/posts Below are excerpts from the online chat between Jolie and Ogundele as they plotted murder Jolie: Bruv that girl won't leave me alone. She's taking it far now. It gives me a bellyache thinking about her. Ogundele: Oi I will ****ing kill her yeah, **** her bruv, she's a ****ing ***** Jolie: You're ****ing telling me mate. She's trying to **** up my life. She needs to get out the equation somehow. I don't care if she lives or dies because the consequences of her having a child are too big for me to handle Ogundele: I'm serious, we will... Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400428/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 19:53:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399664/posts AN ancient bridge over the River Thames in England has sold for nearly $1.7 million at auction. The high price tag ... is down to a special act of Parliament which means the new owner can collect a tax free toll from those crossing the river. There is one drawback. Local people want to scrap the toll, saying it amounts to 'highway robbery'. Herald and Weekly Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399664/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 21:54:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399363/posts THEIR reputation for raping and pillaging may not have set them out as the ideal role-models for an environmentally-friendly way of life. But it seems that lessons could perhaps be learnt from the Vikings after the intriguing discovery in Yorkshire of what is believed to be a metal recycling centre dating back to the 11th century. Historians and metal detector enthusiasts have made the find which is being heralded as evidence of how the Norse invaders recycled their fearsome array of weapons. Hundreds of pieces of metal including arrowheads, shards of swords and axe heads have been unearthed as part... Yorkshire Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399363/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:58:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399309/posts We woke up in a different country today. Alright, it doesn’t look very different. The trees still seem black against the winter sun; the motorways continue to jam inexplicably; commuters carry on avoiding eye contact. But Britain is no longer a sovereign nation. At midnight last night, we ceased to be an independent state, bound by international treaties to other independent states, and became instead a subordinate unit within a European state. Telegraph.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2399309/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:00:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392886/posts A CONVICTED murderer and former aide to the Duchess of York has absconded from an open prison in England. Jane Andrews failed to return to East Sutton Park prison in Kent, England on Sunday night. Andrews was jailed for life for murdering her boyfriend Thomas Cressman, 39, at their flat in Fulham, west London, in September 2000. She beat him with a cricket bat and stabbed him with a kitchen knife in a jealous rage after he refused to marry her. Sky News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392886/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:10:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392271/posts Could England Be Headed For A Sudden Stop? Rolfe Winkler November 21, 2009 Britain may finally be emerging from recession, but many analysts warn that it is a false dawn. In fact, they argue, the economy here is so ravaged by growing debts and ruined banks that it could well be following in the steps of Japan’s lost decade of the 1990s. I still don’t understand why we refer to Japan’s “lost decade,” as singular. The country is now moving into its third consecutive lost decade.The Nikkei is still at 1984 levels. But back to the UK: the NYT piece... Seeking Alpha http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2392271/posts#comment Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:33:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391246/posts Sarah Robinson was just a teenager when World War II broke out. She endured the Blitz, watching for fires during Luftwaffe air raids armed with a bucket of sand. Often she would walk ten miles home from work in the blackout, with bombs falling around her. As soon as she turned 18, she joined the Royal Navy to do her bit for the war effort. Hers was a small part in a huge, history-making enterprise, and her contribution epitomises her generation's sense of service and sacrifice. Nearly 400,000 Britons died. Millions more were scarred by the experience, physically and mentally.... Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2391246/posts#comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:57:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389669/posts As the new hunting season begins today, animal rights activists are threatening to disrupt meets as "observers", as well as joining hunts undercover. The saboteurs will film constantly using new telescopic lenses so hunts can be monitored from a distance. They will also use hidden cameras in clothing and time-delay devices dotted around the countryside. (edit) Hunting was banned in 2005 but since then the number of people taking part in the sport has continued to increase, with 50,000 mounted followers expected this year compared to 40,000 in 2004. This year there are expected to be a further 50,000... The Telegraph (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2389669/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:59:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387923/posts LONDON (Reuters) -- Counterterrorism detectives said they had arrested five men in early morning raids today in northwest England. They were being held on suspicion of committing terrorism offenses including inciting an act of terrorism overseas. Police said the suspects, aged 21, 26, 27, 52, and 62, were detained after swoops at homes in Manchester and Bolton, and at a hotel near London's Heathrow Airport. The properties were now being searched. RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387923/posts#comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:22:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385193/posts Ex-soldier faces jail for handing in gun Thursday, November 12, 2009, 10:30 A former soldier who handed a discarded shotgun in to police faces at least five years imprisonment for "doing his duty".Paul Clarke, 27, was found guilty of possessing a firearm at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday – after finding the gun and handing it personally to police officers on March 20 this year. The jury took 20 minutes to make its conviction, and Mr Clarke now faces a minimum of five year's imprisonment for handing in the weapon. In a statement read out in court, Mr Clarke said:... This Is Surrey Today http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385193/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:26:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385262/posts A former soldier who handed a discarded shotgun in to police faces at least five years imprisonment for "doing his duty". Paul Clarke, 27, was found guilty of possessing a firearm at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday – after finding the gun and handing it personally to police officers on March 20 this year. The jury took 20 minutes to make its conviction, and Mr Clarke now faces a minimum of five year's imprisonment for handing in the weapon. In a statement read out in court, Mr Clarke said: "I didn't think for one moment I would be arrested. "I... surrytoday http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385262/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:38:05 GMT