http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/greatbritain/ en-us Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:58:31 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089084/posts When the majestic white-tailed sea eagle was re-introduced to mainland Britain after nearly a century, nature lovers were thrilled. But the huge birds of prey have not found any fans among farmers, who have labelled them ‘winged vermin’ and claim they have killed more than 200 lambs. The area around one sea eagle nest was described as a ‘sheep graveyard’. The return of the sea eagle has been hailed as a great conservation victory after they were wiped out early last century. The birds were brought from Norway in a project by Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland and the... The Daily Mail (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089084/posts#comment Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:58:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2087477/posts     Stealthy ... Brit Jon with B2 bomber        Exclusive   RAF pilot is one hell of a guy     By JOHN KAY Published: Today     AN RAF Top Gun known as “Killers” has been recruited to fly the world’s deadliest aircraft for the elite US Grim Reapers squadron.   13th bomb squadron ... badge of the elite Grim Reapers  Squadron Leader Jon Killerby pilots the £1billion state-of-the-art Stealth Spirit B2 bomber. The former Tornado ace, 34, is based with the 13th Bomb Squadron in Missouri, US. His flying overalls sport the squadron’s badge... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2087477/posts#comment Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:26:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086829/posts It’s been described by one commentator as an example of Great Britain ‘surrendering’ itself and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was criticised for saying it will happen, but whatever the reaction, Islamic law now officially operates in the UK. Whereas before rulings by sharia courts in Britain could only be enforced if all parties in a Muslim civil case agreed to abide by them, now what the courts say will be legally binding, backed by county courts or the High Court. The five sharia courts are Birmingham, Bradford, London and Manchester with others planned for Glasgow and Edinburgh. They... Public Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086829/posts#comment Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:17:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086355/posts Exclusive   You're in the Army now   Undercover ... Russell Sharp in trainingBBC/Kent News and Pics   By JOHN KAY Chief Reporter Published: Today   A BBC reporter who joined the Army to expose bullying may be sent to war, it emerged yesterday. Russell Sharp, 25, did 15 weeks before lying so he could quit on “compassionate” grounds. And last night after furious top brass found out who he was they threatened to haul him back to complete his training — and send him into action. Senior officers hit the roof because Sharp, whose TV film Undercover Soldier... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086355/posts#comment Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:08:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083658/posts   'Tax 4x4 owners up to £2,500'     Bill ... Norman Baker wants tax hike for gas guzzlers    By CLODAGH HARTLEY Consumer Affairs Correspondent Published: Today       DRIVERS of big gas guzzlers should be forced to pay huge road taxes of up to £2,500 a year, the Liberal Democrats said today. Transport spokesman Norman Baker wants to use the cash to fund £1,000 handouts to those who buy "green" cars. But for those who drive 4x4's and other large family cars – a showroom tax of £500, alongside £2,000 a year Vehicle Excise Duty would... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083658/posts#comment Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:34:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2080203/posts   How police chief remembered victims of Osama     By JOHN COLES Published: Today       ANTI-terror cop Colin Terry stunned onlookers by going to a village carnival as Osama Bin Laden — days before the 9/11 anniversary.            Proud moment ... Chief Superintendent Colin Terry at a long-service awards ceremony       The chief superintendent pulled on a full latex face mask of the al-Qaeda warlord, the monster behind the atrocities in which 3,500 died seven years ago today. Mr Terry — a Devon & Cornwall officer currently working in Afghanistan —... The Sun (U.K.) / various http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2080203/posts#comment Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:43:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075521/posts        Gutsy ... Sarah Palin   Jon Gaunt Yanks should give thanks for Sarah Published: Today     DON’T you wish we had politicians like American Republican Sarah Palin instead of the identikit, spineless amoebas that infest Westminster?  This woman has got more balls than most British male MPs. She would get my vote in an instant. She’s a real gutsy, good-looking woman who is truly the epitome of the feminist dream. She comes from working-class stock, has used her brains and looks to get on and has carved out a great career as a politician and... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2075521/posts#comment Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:20:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069166/posts Devout Muslim found guilty of forcing boys to flog themselves in religious ceremony Last updated at 15:41pm on 27.08.08   A devout Muslim was found guilty of child cruelty today in a British legal first after forcing two boys to beat themselves during a religious ceremony.The jury at Manchester Crown Court found 44-year-old Syed Mustafa Zaidi guilty of two counts of child cruelty.The boys, aged 13 and 15, were forced to beat themselves with a zanjeer zani, an implement containing five curved blades, during a ceremony to commemorate the death of a Shia Muslim spiritual leader.Zaidi, of Station Road,... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069166/posts#comment Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:57:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2068871/posts Thames reveals forgotten wrecksMark Blunden 26.08.08   The largest-ever post-war salvage operation on the Thames has discovered seven shipwrecks up to 350 years old. They include a warship that was blown up in 1665, a yacht converted to a Second World War gunboat, and a mystery wreck in which divers found a personalised gin bottle. The vessels, in the Thames Estuary, are just some of about 1,100 ships which went down in the whole of the river. The salvage by Wessex Archaeology and the Port of London Authority, which regulates the river, was both historical and practical. Jagged metal... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2068871/posts#comment Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:12:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062812/posts Like many townies, my prejudices about the Glorious Twelfth were well and truly fully formed. The official start of the shooting season was nothing more than an ancient ritual to massacre thousands of defenceless birds. So it was with some cynicism and not a little trepidation that I agreed to take part in the Glorious Twelfth last Tuesday, the traditional start of the shooting season, on a moor on the Durham/ Northumberland border. (edit) Having missed my first bird and about to hand over my place to the next gun, I looked back at the group. Mums with red-faced... The Daily Mail (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2062812/posts#comment Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:25:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061283/posts Council snoopers to get new powers to seize phone and email records - with taxpayers footing the £50m bill Last updated at 15:11pm on 13.08.08  Tory concerns: Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve Council snoopers will be given even greater powers to pry into our phone, email and internet records  -  landing the taxpayer with a bill of almost £50million.  Town halls, along with the police, security services, health authorities and other public bodies, will have access to ' communication' records of anyone suspected of involvement in even the most minor crime.  The powers, which stem from an EU directive... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061283/posts#comment Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:26:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2060601/posts One third of whites claim they are victims of racism Last updated at 10:16am on 12.08.08  A growing number of white people believe they are the victims of racial prejudice in Britain, official research has found. Almost one in three - 29 per cent - said they now expected to be treated worse than other races by key public services.  And the number of whites claiming to have been refused a job or discriminated against at work for reasons of race has doubled in the last five years, according to the Government study.   Flashback: Riots in Burnley, Lancs, 2001 when... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2060601/posts#comment Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:07:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059045/posts UK. Brixham Coastguard rescues intoxicated teenagers by helicopter Thursday, 07 August 2008   At quarter to one this morning Brixham Coastguard received several 999 calls from an 18 year old teenager reporting that he was in some form of distress on a cliff. The boy told the Coastguard in the operations room that he was epileptic and had suffered a fit. He and a friend that was with him could not tell the Coastguard where they were and communications with the two boys was difficult as it became apparent that they were under the influence of alcohol. Teignmouth and... BYM Marine and Maritime News (UK) / Various http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2059045/posts#comment Sat, 9 Aug 2008 14:42:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2058170/posts Max, the sweet-toothed boy, 3, who walked a mile at 3am to buy chocolate Last updated at 19:04pm on 07.08.08      Adventurer: Max McGrath, dressed in pyjamas and oversized shoes, headed off for a sweet hunt... at 3am   When three-year-old Max McGrath had an urge for a chocolate egg in the middle of the night, nothing was going to stop him from satisfying his craving.At 3am the sweet-toothed toddler climbed out of bed, slipped on his brother's shoes and armed himself with his pocket money and a front door key, before heading out on a mile-long walk... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2058170/posts#comment Thu, 7 Aug 2008 19:06:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2057668/posts Draconian rules imposed by the Chinese authorities mean that flags of any non-competing nation are likely to be confiscated from fans, who could be barred from venues if they refuse to comply. Athletes could even be disqualified from competing if they break the rules. Because Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland are not individually represented at the games, only the Union Flag of Great Britain will be allowed inside the stadiums. The regulation is widely believed to be aimed at preventing supporters of an independent Tibet from making political statements by waving its flag, but it will be enforced... The Telegraph (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2057668/posts#comment Wed, 6 Aug 2008 22:26:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2056589/posts Families who break the bin rules and overfill will get a £110 fine... more than a drunken yob would receive  Householders who put too much rubbish in their bins face tougher punishments than shoplifters and drunken louts. Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has backed on-the-spot fines of up to £110 for those who overfill their bins, leave them out too early, or put out extra sacks of rubbish alongside them. The price of defying rubbish regulations is £30 higher than the £80 fixed penalty fine given to shoplifters or those involved in drunken disorder in city centres.... ... Mr Corkhill was... The Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2056589/posts#comment Tue, 5 Aug 2008 02:21:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055874/posts     Horror ... Remi Fakorede    Mum's finger horror in court     By STAFF REPORTER Published: 02 Aug 2008     A MUM caused uproar in court when she pulled two fingers from her handbag and said they belonged to one of her children. Mother-of-six Remi Fakorede, 46, now behind bars for a “breathtaking” £925,000 tax credit fraud, claimed they had fallen off as a result of a strong “voodoo” curse that had been placed on her and her family and forced her into crime. One juror burst into tears while the “horrified” judge immediately adjourned the case... The Sun (U.K.) / Various http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055874/posts#comment Sun, 3 Aug 2008 20:47:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2055844/posts "Most devout Muslims are creationists so when you go to schools, there are a large number of children of Islamic parents who trot out what they have been taught," Prof Dawkins said in a Sunday newspaper interview. "Teachers are bending over backwards to respect home prejudices that children have been brought up with. The Government could do more, but it doesn't want to because it is fanatical about multiculturalism and the need to respect the different traditions from which these children come." Prof Dawkins, professor for the public understanding of science at Oxford University, is author of books including the... Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2055844/posts#comment Sun, 3 Aug 2008 19:39:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2055513/posts   Wife lands a whopper   What a whopper ... Gill Hudspeth and her catch   By STAFF REPORTER Published: Today     A NOVICE angler is celebrating a huge haul - on her first fishing effort. Gill Hudspeth, 58, hooked a 72lb catfish the first time she fished with a rod and reel on holiday with her husband and two friends in France. Her huge haul blew her husband Maurice’s best ever catch of 42lbs straight out of the water. Mrs Hudspeth, from Wilford, Nottinghamshire, today said she had never taken up fishing, despite the fact her husband... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2055513/posts#comment Sat, 2 Aug 2008 21:35:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055069/posts Really chuffed: First full-size British steam locomotive for 50 years fires up Last updated at 22:25pm on 01.08.08  First came the sweet toot of the whistle, then a steady hiss. Finally, sporting her battleship-grey undercoat, Britain's first new steam locomotive in almost half a century emerged in all her majesty. It was a sight that took those old enough to remember back to a golden age of rail travel. Even though Tornado only had 120 yards of track to cover as she chugged into action in a Darlington rail yard, the moment was, with good reason, marked with a... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2055069/posts#comment Fri, 1 Aug 2008 21:00:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2054349/posts Cops save 45 girls from tribal abuse   By ANTHONY FRANCE Crime Reporter Published: Today     COPS rescued 45 British girls from horrific African tribal abuse in the past year, it has been revealed. Kids as young as four have had their genitals sewn up because parents believe it will protect their virginity until marriage. The practice is popular in many African countries but banned in the UK. Scotland Yard believes that 6,500 girls in London are at risk. Ages of victims rescued range from a few days old to 16. The total saved by the Met’s Project... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2054349/posts#comment Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:48:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051775/posts Health and safety killjoys tell war veterans they are too old to hoist the Union Flag over town hall Last updated at 02:38am on 26.07.08      Up in arms: Veterans John Ireland (right) and Keith Hutchins in front of the town hall In their younger days, they risked death and injury to fight for their country against the Nazis and other enemies.  But, now, war veterans who want to fly the Union Flag proudly above their town hall are being defeated by a barrage of health and safety rules.  Royal British Legion members had scented victory after fighting... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051775/posts#comment Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:24:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051002/posts     Major gongs for heroic Our Boys   Award ... Captain Paul Britton is congratulated by Major General Gary Robison    By TOM NEWTON DUNN Defence Editor Published: Today     AN Army officer who led a battle despite a lump of burning shrapnel in his shoulder was one of 19 forces heroes awarded the Military Cross yesterday.   Praise ... Lieutenant General Graeme Lamb  Captain Paul Britton, 28, refused morphine so he could control artillery and air strikes to beat off Taliban attackers in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The Royal Artillery officer was wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade... The Sun (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2051002/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:21:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048813/posts Bluetooth Big Brother uses mobiles and laptops to track thousands of Britons Last updated at 12:04pm on 21.07.08    Thousands of people in Bath are unaware their movements may have been tracked through their bluetooth mobiles Thousands of Britons' movements have been covertly tracked by scanners placed in streets, pubs and offices for a technology experiment.  The Cityware project run by the University of Bath has secretly placed scanners around the Somerset city, with the first 10 installed 2006. The scanners pick up bluetooth radio signals transmitted from mobile phones and laptops. In a scene reminiscent of the Will Smith... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048813/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:43:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048270/posts ‘Harassed for being a Christian’- the policeman who objected to gay ribbons and is turning to a tribunal Last updated at 01:08am on 20.07.08    A policeman is taking his force to an employment tribunal, claiming that he has been harassed because of his Christian beliefs.Constable Graham Cogman says he has been persecuted since he objected to wearing ribbons to mark a gay event.The controversy echoes the case of Lillian Ladele, the Christian registrar who successfully took on Islington Council in London over her refusal to conduct civil-partnership ceremonies for gay couples.  Making a stand: PC Graham Cogman says... The Evening Standard (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048270/posts#comment Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:36:25 GMT