Dan's Doodles

BBC News - Allen Stanford found guilty in $7bn Ponzi scheme

2012-03-06T18:18:00.001Z

6 March 2012 Last updated at 18:10

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Allen Stanford found guilty in $7bn Ponzi scheme

Financier and cricket mogul Allen Stanford has been found guilty by a court in Houston, Texas, of running a $7bn Ponzi scheme.

Stanford, 61, was convicted on 13 of the 14 charges.

He had pleaded not guilty to defrauding some 30,000 investors with bogus investments through his Stanford International Bank.

Prosecutors said he issued fraudulent certificates of deposit through the offshore bank in Antigua.

The jury of eight men and four women found him not guilty of one charge of wire fraud.

Stanford faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charge. However, the judge will have to decide whether the sentences should run consecutively.

Stanford's defence was based on blaming a former chief financial officer, James Davis, and arguing that most of the money was lost by court-appointed receivers following the bank's seizure.

Prosecutors said Stanford's bogus certificates of deposits had promised artificially high returns to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Stanford was the organiser of the money-spinning Stanford Twenty20 Cricket tournament in the West Indies in 2008.

Forbes Magazine listed him as the 605th richest man in the world in 2006.

He has spent three years in detention after being denied bail.

via bbc.co.uk

The guys that run Eng Cricket thought it was a good idea to get in bed with him??

BBC News - Will Afghan Koran row prove Nato's tipping point?

2012-02-25T19:09:00.001Z

23 February 2012 Last updated at 11:56

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Will Afghan Koran row prove Nato's tipping point?
By Andrew North BBC News, Kabul

Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

New Afghan Koran protests erupt

US apologises

Koran protests spreading

There is an end of an era feeling in Kabul these days - for what Afghans see as the latest foreign venture in their country.

They have seen off the Russians and the British before and now it is America's time that is drawing to a close, with the British and other Nato allies eager to depart with them.

The revelation that US troops had dumped copies of the Koran into an incineration pit may hasten that end.

At the very least, it has provided an open goal for the Taliban and anyone else who wants to provoke anti-American and anti-foreigner sentiments.

There are few more emotive issues in Afghanistan than allegations of the Islamic holy book being desecrated.

It has triggered violent disturbances as far back as 2005 - even when the claims of the Koran being mishandled have not been substantiated.
'Same mistakes'
Last year, at least 10 people were killed in Mazar-e Sharif after news reached Afghanistan of an extremist American pastor burning a Koran in faraway Florida.

US troop have been accused of deliberately burning Korans

There is quiet fury within the Afghan government towards the Americans at what one official calls their "brainless" behaviour.

They are making the "same mistakes as the Russians" says Afghan analyst Omar Safi - failing to respect the Muslim religion.

"No-one should die because of a few books being set on fire," one Afghan official told me on condition of anonymity.

But "that is no excuse" he said, for American actions.

Even people still well-disposed towards them cannot believe how they could have allowed this to happen, after more than a decade here and many previous mistakes.

Never before have the Americans apologised so quickly and so profusely as this time - but it sounds hollow to many Afghans.
Battle for perceptions
Returning to Afghanistan after several years away, it is striking how much the mood has changed against the US and its allies.

Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

With anti-American demonstrations spreading across the country, what may just have been soldiers obeying a simple order could turn into a tipping point”
End Quote

From recent episodes of troops urinating on Taliban bodies to the many instances of civilians being killed over the past 11 years, attitudes towards the Americans have progressively hardened.

There is also widespread frustration at how little has changed, despite the huge quantities of money that have poured in here.

In the main battleground areas of southern and eastern Afghanistan, there are fewer outdoor wedding parties these days - because they have been bombed so many times by US pilots who think they are seeing Taliban gatherings from thousands of feet up.

The US and its Nato allies rightly argue the Taliban kill far more civilians with their suicide and other attacks.

But the Americans are the ones who claim to uphold the highest standards.

What is more, the US doctrine is supposed to be "to protect the population".

So this is how they are judged.

And as has been said so many times in the past, there is no military solution in Afghanistan. It is ultimately a battle for perceptions.

More conspiratorially-minded Afghans find it hard to believe these Korans were burnt by mistake.

US troops must have done it deliberately, some say, to create instability - so they can stay longer.

For the moment though, it is the Americans who are on the defensive - giving the much-criticised government of President Hamid Karzai some relief.

With US-Afghan negotiations over a strategic partnership still bogged down over issues like night-time raids and control of prisoners, Mr Karzai has been quick to seize the advantage - saying the Koran burning disaster would not have happened if the Afghans had been in charge.

The Korans were originally taken from prisoners in US detention, because the Americans apparently believed detainees were using the books to pass messages.

With anti-American demonstrations spreading across the country, what may just have been soldiers obeying a simple order could turn into a tipping point.

via bbc.co.uk

Inevitable?

BBC Sport - UK Snooker Championship: O'Sullivan quit threat as Trump wins

2011-12-07T15:41:00.001Z

Ronnie sure sounds like a troubled man!

BBC News - Is the euro about to capsize?

2011-12-02T17:51:00.001Z

7 November 2011 Last updated at 09:37

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Is the euro about to capsize?
By Laurence Knight Business reporter, BBC News
Could the euro be sinking?

Continue reading the main story

Global Economy

What's the matter with Spain?

What's the matter with Italy?

How might Greece leave the euro?

Eurozone crisis explained

In seafaring, there is a concept called the "free-surface effect".

It happens when a surprisingly small amount of fluid can move freely inside a boat.

It is an accident waiting to happen.

As the boat tilts in the waves, the water starts to flood across the floor, pushing up against the boat's lower side.

Instead of righting itself again, the boat begins to list more and more as the water moves inside it, until the boat capsizes.

Something similar is happening to the euro.

When it was created in 1999, there was a fatal flaw. While governments shared a single currency, they continued to have their own separate bond markets.

It was an accident waiting to happen.

Bonds are IOUs that governments issue in their hundreds of billions when they want to borrow money.

Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

The real problem is that what is true of tiny Greece can equally be true of much bigger Spain and Italy”
End Quote

Just like shares on the stock market, they can be traded by investors.

If investors don't like a government's bonds, they can sell them.

That sends their price down, which by implication means the interest rate the government would have to pay if it wants to borrow more money goes up.
Currency master
Investors might sell bonds if they are afraid that a government cannot repay its debts.

Normally this is not a problem. Because normally, a government is the master of its own currency.

It can order its central bank - the currency's guardian - to print as much money as is needed to repay its debts.

ECB boss Mario Draghi has ruled out the central bank printing money to buy up bonds indefinitely

This makes the debts of governments like the US, Japan or UK the safest investment in their respective currencies.

Moreover, if a foreign investor doesn't like the British government's debts, not only does it sell government bonds.

It also sells the pound.

That pushes the pound's value down, which helps make the UK economy more competitive, which helps the UK grow, which helps the government raise taxes.

What's more, when one investor sells pounds, another must buy them.

And where will that buyer invest those pounds? Back into UK government bonds.

So by having its own currency, the UK government is pretty much guaranteed its own pool of sterling cash to finance its borrowing.

Now consider the euro.

Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

There is a common misperception that the eurozone crisis is all about debt - it isn't, it is also about growth”
End Quote

Investors believe that Greece cannot possibly repay its debts.

Unlike the UK, Greece does not have its own central bank that it can rely on to print money and buy its debts. And a 50% write-off of its private sector debts is already agreed in principle.

So many investors have sold Greek bonds. But they could not sell the drachma. There is no drachma to sell.

Instead they could freely move their cash into safer government bonds - German government bonds.

Just like the seawater inside a boat, liquidity - investor's cash - can move freely within the euro from one government's bond market to another's.

And that made the value of Greece's bonds plummet.
Greek demonstrations
But despite all the noise, Greece is only a sideshow.

Could a form of the drachma make a return in Greece?

Greece is a small country. And if it stopped repaying its debts and/or left the euro, re-denominating its debts into devalued drachmas, the losses to its bond investors would be manageable.

The danger posed by Greece is rather the power to demonstrate.

It demonstrates how damaging it is to a eurozone economy when its workers' wages rise to uncompetitive levels during the boom years, leaving its economy high and dry, unable to compete and unable to devalue its currency during the bust.

It demonstrates how self-defeating it can be for a eurozone government to try to reduce its borrowing, by raising taxes and cutting spending, when this merely drives its economy into recession, meaning fewer incomes to tax and more unemployment benefits to pay.

And as of this week, it demonstrates that there is a very real possibility that a eurozone member could leave the single currency altogether.

But most important of all, it demonstrates what happens when investors lose confidence in a eurozone government's debts.
No return?
The real problem is that what is true of tiny Greece can equally be true of much bigger Spain and Italy.

Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

The best solution would be to have created a single eurozone government bond market in the first place. Too late for that”
End Quote

And it is in Italy where the real damage is happening.

Investors are afraid Italy might go the same way as Greece. So their cash is beginning to flood out of Italian government bonds, and into German government bonds.

If Greece is the rising flank of the boat, Italy is the midship, and it is listing badly.

It now costs Rome an unprecedented 6.1% to borrow money for just one year. By contrast, Germany pays a mere 0.25%.

Italy has a lot of debt. It has had for years. But this has only become a problem now, because if Italy has to pay 6% interest on its debt, then its debts will grow more quickly than its economy's capacity to service them.

That is unsustainable, and investors know it. Which is why Italy may be about to cross a point of no return.

Once Italy's cost of borrowing rises above this level, it becomes very difficult to bring it down again.

Because at that point, investors know that Italy cannot repay its debts, which means they won't lend to Italy.

But once investors stop lending, then Italy cannot possibly meet the hundreds of billions of euros of debts that are coming up for repayment in the next few months.

So it becomes a self-fulfilling panic, just like a bank run.

Which is to say that, once Italy's cost of borrowing rises above, say, 7%, the chances are that it will just keep on rising as investors desert its bonds in their droves.

The boat will capsize.
Misplaced pride
Meanwhile, Berlin's cost of borrowing has gone down and down as nervous investors have flooded into German government bonds.

The size of the eurozone bailout fund has been increased, but it remains to be seen if this will work

Some Germans may take pride in this as a sign of strength, a vote of confidence.

In fact quite the opposite is true, because Germany is also part of the boat that is capsizing.

There is a common misperception that the eurozone crisis is all about debt.

It isn't. It is also about growth.

Any government can repay its debts, if its economy grows fast enough to generate the tax revenues needed.

But the current crisis is killing growth in Italy and Germany alike.

Businesses and consumers are nervous, and are cutting back their spending.

Europe's banks are finding it hard to borrow, and are being told to meet higher capital ratios - a measure of their financial prudence - so they are cutting back their lending.

Meanwhile, half the governments in Europe are finding it harder and harder to borrow, and in any case are being ordered by Brussels to cut back their spending to get their finances in order.

All of which is tipping the eurozone into a recession.

But a recession just makes debts even harder to repay - as has been amply demonstrated by Greece over the last four years.
Keep pumping
What can be done?

Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote

In effect, panicky markets are offering to lend Germany money for free”
End Quote

The best solution would be to have created a single eurozone government bond market in the first place. Too late for that, even if the Germans hadn't ruled it out anyway.

The eurozone instead hopes that its soon-to-be-1tn-euro bailout fund will do the job.

The fund is like a pump that will try to shift liquidity away from the dipping side of the boat (Germany) back towards the rising side (Italy and Spain).

But even if the pump is ready in time, most economists say it is not big enough to do the job.

Moreover, the eurozone already has a big pump in place, called the European Central Bank.

The ECB can print its own money, so there is theoretically no limit to how much Italian or Spanish government debt it could buy up.

But the central bank's new Italian head, Mario Draghi - perhaps under the influence of his more hawkish German colleagues - has ruled this option out.
Old hat
The authorities could at least do more to head off the recession.

Depression-era economist John Maynard Keynes said there were two options - cutting interest rates and increasing government spending.

The ECB did indeed cut rates at its meeting on Thursday, but only by a quarter-point to 1.25%. It is an encouraging start.

And perhaps if interest rates reach zero, Mr Draghi can argue that the ECB must then follow its US and UK counterparts in resorting to quantitative easing - buying up government debt (including Italian debt) in order to help the eurozone economy (and not just to rescue his home country).

The problem is that lending more money only helps if the money gets spent. So ideally governments should also be spending more.

But only one government is able to borrow and spend on the scale needed - Germany.

Thanks to the crisis, Berlin can borrow so cheaply that the interest it pays would probably be less than the inflation rate.

In effect, panicky markets are offering to lend Germany money for free.

But Germany does not believe in Keynesian economics. It does not believe in borrowing and spending.

And this is what may ultimately sink the euro boat.

via bbc.co.uk

Brilliant explanation.

BBC News - Charlotte Church tells of family's treatment by media

2011-11-28T20:57:00.001Z

via bbc.co.uk

The press really does need a check on it in this country!

Carefree

2011-11-26T17:41:00.001Z

Just watched Astair&Rogers in the movie "Carefree" before the celebs come on!
http://www.box.com/s/182zf783x8v2kduxsto1

-- Danny

Google to Unveil Online Music Store Wednesday - WSJ.com

2011-11-16T11:43:00.001Z

BY ETHAN SMITH AND AMIR EFRATI
Google Inc. on Wednesday is expected to unveil an online music-download store featuring songs from three of the world's four biggest music companies, according to people familiar with the matter.

Sony Corp.'s Sony Music Entertainment, Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group, and EMI Music are expected to have deals in place to let Google sell their music in time for an announcement Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles, these ...

via online.wsj.com

BBC News - Spitfire redux: The WWII guns firing after 70 years buried in peat

2011-11-10T11:05:00.001Z

10 November 2011 Last updated at 01:37

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Spitfire redux: The WWII guns firing after 70 years buried in peat

Comments (107)

Continue reading the main story

In today's Magazine

The startling tribute to WWI's poignant poet

Rediscovering Darwin the psychologist

Living the Carnegie way

Paper Monitor

An excavation at the site of a 1941 Spitfire crash in a bog in the Irish Republic uncovered huge, remarkably preserved chunks of plane and six Browning machine guns. After 70 years buried in peat could they be made to fire? They certainly could, writes Dan Snow.

It was June in Donegal, when we stood on a windswept hillside in hard hats and high-vis surrounded by a crowd of locals and watched by an Irish army unit while we filmed an archaeological excavation.

This was the place where, in 1941, Roland "Bud" Wolfe, an American pilot flying a British RAF Spitfire, paid for by a wealthy Canadian industrialist, had experienced engine failure while flying over the neutral Republic of Ireland.

After flying a sortie over the Atlantic, Wolfe was on his way back to his base in Northern Ireland when he was forced to bail out. He parachuted safely to the ground - his plane smashed into the boggy hillside.

Fast-forwarding 70 years and local aviation expert Johnny McNee was able to identify the wreck site. The ensuing dig was accompanied by intense anticipation.

Rolls Royce Merlin engine: One careful owner, slightly worn

We did not have to wait long for results. Suddenly the fresh Donegal air was tainted with the tang of aviation fuel.

Minutes later the mechanical digger's bucket struck metal. We leapt into the pit to continue by hand. One by one the Spitfire's Browning machine guns were hauled out.

We had hoped for one in reasonable condition - we got six, in great shape, with belts containing hundreds of gleaming .303 rounds. The Irish soldiers then stepped in. This was a cache of heavy weapons, however historic they might be.

Next came fuselage, twisted but in huge pieces, over a metre across, still painted in wartime colours, with neat stencils of the plane's ID and the iconic RAF bullseye-style roundel.

Despite hitting the ground at well over 300mph the artefacts were incredibly well-preserved. The wheel under the Spitfire's tail emerged fully inflated, the paper service manual, a first aid kit with bandages and dressings, the instrument panel, the harness that Wolfe had torn off as he hurled himself out of the cockpit and my highlight - Wolfe's leather flying helmet.

Perhaps 20m down was the magnificent Rolls Royce Merlin engine, which the digger raised to a cheer from the crowd.

Thanks to the soft peat, the inaccessibility of the crash site and the crater rapidly filling with water, a huge number of artefacts had survived the crash with the authorities unable to clear them up.

But Wolfe's Spitfire had more surprises for us.

Thanks to a "wild idea" from Lt Colonel Dave Sexton, ordnance technical officer in the Irish army, it was decided an attempt would be made to fire one of the Browning guns that had spent 70 years in the bog.

His team painstakingly cleaned the weapons and straightened pieces bent by the impact. Finally, on Tuesday we were able to stand on an old British Army range just north of Athlone for the big day.

The machine guns looked as good as new. Soil conditions were perfect for preservation. Beneath the peat there had been a layer of clay. Clay is anaerobic, it forms an airtight seal around all the parts, so there is no oxygen, which limits corrosion.

Had they been in sandy soil, which lets in water and air, the metal would have been heavily corroded.

Dan Snow test fires the machine gun

The Irish specialists had chosen the best preserved body and added parts from all six guns, like the breech block and the spring, to assemble one that they thought would fire. They made the decision to use modern bullets, to reduce the risk of jamming.

Wearing helmet, ear protection and body armour I crouched in a trench a metre away from the Browning, which I would operate remotely.

Every part of the gun, to the tiniest pin, had been under a peat bog for 70 years, to the month.

This Spitfire had seen service during Britain's darkest days and is reliably credited with shooting down a German bomber off the Norfolk coast in early 1941. The Irish had found large amounts of carbon inside the weapon, evidence of heavy use.

I turned the handle of the remote firing mechanism. The Browning roared, the belt of ammunition disappeared, the spent shell cases were spat out and the muzzle flash stood out sharply against a grey sky. It was elating.

That was the noise that filled the air during the Battle of Britain.

Continue reading the main story
Supermarine Spitfire

British single-seat fighter plane used by RAF and many Allied countries during WWII

Its thin, elliptical wing allowed a higher top speed than similar fighters

Speed was seen as essential to defend against enemy bombers

Continued to be used into the 1950s as a front line fighter and in secondary roles

Watch Spitfires in action on BBC History site

360Production's YouTube archaeology channel

Dan Snow on Twitter

The gun fired without a hitch. There can be no greater testament to the machinists and engineers in UK factories in the 1940s who, despite churning out guns at the rate of thousands per month, made each one of such high quality that they could survive a plane crash and 70 years underground and still fire like the day they were made.

During the course of the war, one firm, Birmingham Small Arms (BSA), produced nearly 500,000 Browning guns. All this was despite being targeted by the Luftwaffe. In November 1940, 53 employees were killed and 89 injured.

The firing was yet more evidence that the Spitfire, with its elliptical wing shape, engine and machine guns, is one of the crowning achievements in the history of British manufacturing.

The machine guns will now be made safe and join the rest of the aircraft on permanent display in Derry, where Wolfe was based, a city on the edge of Europe that played a pivotal role in the war.

The excavation of Bud Wolfe's plane is part of Dig WWII, a series for BBC Northern Ireland by 360 Production to be presented by Dan Snow and due to be shown next year.

via bbc.co.uk

Fascinating.

BBC Sport - Frazier, Ali and Foreman on Wogan

2011-11-08T16:53:00.001Z

Memorable.

Leeds Rhinos v St.Helens

2011-10-08T13:33:00.001+01:00

I hope the Rhinos can do it!

Amplify’d from www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Grand Final veteran Jamie Jones-Buchanan reckons there’s a “different feel” about tonight’s Engage Super League title decider.

Leeds Rhinos finished either first or second in the table before each of the club’s six previous Grand Finals, but were fifth this year.

In past campaigns the whole season has rested on 80 minutes at Old Trafford, but this time everyone – other than the players – views the Grand Final as a bonus.

“Nobody has been expecting much from us this year so there isn’t as much pressure,” claimed Jones-Buchanan, pictured right.

“On the flip side, when you look back in years to come at this group of Leeds lads, who everyone thought had fallen away, if we can come back and win another Grand Final it would cement us as being true champions.
Read more at www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/nrDtvZ

2011-09-30T21:49:00.001+01:00

Great stuff--Rhinos are in the FINAL!

Daily Mail backs ‘insufferably smug’ Guardian in sources battle with the Met | The Wire | Press Gazette

2011-09-20T12:46:00.001+01:00

In today’s leader the Daily Mail wrote:

It is not often that this paper defends the Guardian, whose politically correct, bien-pensant views seem increasingly detached from both the real world and the concerns of ordinary Britons.

But when police invoke the Official Secrets Act to try to force one of its reporters, Amelia Hill, to reveal her sources, everybody who cherishes the freedom of the Press and the vital role of the fourth estate in a healthy democracy should be deeply alarmed.

via blogs.pressgazette.co.uk

Wonders NEVER cease!

BBC News - Leeds City Varieties reopens with gala performance

2011-09-18T13:12:00.001+01:00

18 September 2011 Last updated at 12:39

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Leeds City Varieties reopens with gala performance

The £9.9m refurbishment has been carried out to replicate the 1890s style

Continue reading the main story
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Theatre honour for Segway tycoon

City Varieties' revamp completed

Music hall restoration to start

A Grade II*-listed Victorian music hall in West Yorkshire is to reopen with a gala performance after a £9.9m refurbishment.

Renovation on the City Varieties in Leeds began in 2009 and was carried out in the style of the 1890s.

The fundraising performance on Sunday evening will feature comedian Ken Dodd.

The Varieties theatre was the home of The Good Old Days, the BBC's long-running TV variety show for over 30 years.

Once there were more than 300 such theatres nationwide but few now remain in working existence.

The work has been part-funded by Leeds City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, with donations from the Friends of City Varieties and The Monument Trust.
Harry Houdini
A donation was made by the family of the late Jimi Heselden, who made his fortune with his Leeds-based firm Hesco Bastion.

The auditorium will be named after Mr Heselden who died in September 2010 after an accident on a Segway near his home at Boston Spa.

Facilities for audiences and performers have been improved with new seats, a glass lift and technical equipment installed.

Charles Thornton opened his New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge in 1865 above a public house in a Leeds side street.

The City Varieties - as it later became known - has survived virtually unchanged.

Its stage has hosted Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, Lillie Langtry, Mickey Rooney, Frankie Vaughan and Barry Cryer.

It was in 1953 that the Varieties became the home of The Good Old Days.

via bbc.co.uk

GOOD NEWS!

Facebook Music Platform Plan Should Surface Next Week - Forbes

2011-09-17T12:15:00.001+01:00

Here comes music

Facebook is expected to announce the launch of its much-hyped music service in f8, its annual developers’ conference, on September 22.^[1]

The social networking giant is expected to partner with digital music providers Spotify, MOG and Rdio in this initiative. After having success with online games such as Mafia Wars and Farmville, Facebook’s digital music service suggests that the company is steadily moving in the digital content space, giving struggling competitors such as Yahoo and AOL even bigger reasons for worry.

We currently value Facebook at around $45 billion.

Facebook Music: What’s In Store For Users?

Similar to its applications and games, Facebook does not intend to become a hosting site for digital music. Instead, the company would be acting as a platform for providing digital music content from providers such as Spotify that already have their music licensing in place. It’s a win-win situation as Facebook’s partners get the advantage of Facebook’s immense reach of +750 million users while Facebook gets additional time spent on its website.

While it might be too early to say that this launch will revolutionize digital music, online music providers such as Spotify and Rdio are bound to benefit from Facebook’s key networking features such as the “Like” button and the news feed (for instance, the user profile will automatically update the music track he/she is listening to).

Special Offer: Jim Stack had his subscribers in cash and hedged investments before the market crashed in 2008 and he got aggressive again just as the market bottomed. Click here for currently recommended “safety-first” investments in InvesTech Research.

This launch is also a sign of bigger things to come, and Facebook might not be stopping at just music for its content. In fact, it would not be a surprise if we soon see online video providers such as Netflix being roped in to provide video content for the company. This also represents a competitive threat to Apple’s iTunes and even Sirius XM in mobile music listening.

See our full analysis for Facebook

Notes:

Mashable: Facebook To Launch Music Platform With Spotify, MOG & Rdio [↩]

Like our charts? Embed them in your own posts using the Trefis WordPress Plugin.

via forbes.com

Is FB getting too complicated for it's own good?

Google Reader (759)

2011-09-12T21:18:00.001+01:00

Great to have the NEWS QUIZ back

Beatles Single fetches £9000

2011-08-28T12:21:00.001+01:00

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

A copy of the Beatles hit single Please Please Me signed on both sides by all four members of the band has fetched £9,000 at auction in Liverpool.

The 1963 record was sold by a Liverpool woman who asked the group to sign it after listening to them at the city's Cavern venue as a youngster.

The "very, very rare" item was among 322 lots at the annual Beatles memorabilia auction.

The 1963 single is signed on both sides by all four members of The Beatles

Among other highlights was a cap owned by John Lennon which sold for £3,200.
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/nU0hxZ

Google Reader (759)

2011-07-21T20:47:00.001+01:00

Uninvited guest!

Ella sings about this weekend's weather here!

2011-07-16T07:50:00.001+01:00

Beckham Daughter

2011-07-11T13:50:00.001+01:00

Strange name?

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

Victoria Beckham has given birth to a girl, whom she and husband David have named Harper Seven.

On his Facebook page, footballer Beckham said: "I am so proud and excited to announce the birth of our daughter Harper Seven Beckham."

The girl was delivered at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, at 0755 local time (1555 BST), and weighed 7lb 10oz.

The Beckhams' sons Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and Cruz, five, were said to be "delighted to have a sister".

David Beckham's Facebook statement said his 37-year-old wife was "doing really well" following the birth.
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/q87XOW

BBC News - News of the World to close amid hacking scandal

2011-07-07T17:08:00.001+01:00

7 July 2011 Last updated at 17:05

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News of the World to close amid hacking scandal

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Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

News of the World to close

James Murdoch: Statement in full

This Sunday's issue of the News of the World will be the last edition of the paper, News International chairman James Murdoch has said.

In the past few days, claims have been made that the paper authorised hacking into the mobile phones of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of 7/7 bombing victims.

Mr Murdoch said proceeds from the last edition would go to good causes.

Downing Street said it had no role or involvement in the decision.

The News of the World is the UK's biggest selling newspaper and has been in circulation for 168 years.

No advertisements will run in this weekend's paper - instead any advertising space will be donated to charities and good causes.

In a statement made to staff, Mr Murdoch said the good things the News of the World does "have been sullied by behaviour that was wrong - indeed, if recent allegations are true, it was inhuman and has no place in our company".

"The News of the World is in the business of holding others to account. But it failed when it came to itself."

He went on: "In 2006, the police focused their investigations on two men. Both went to jail. But the News of the World and News International failed to get to the bottom of repeated wrongdoing that occurred without conscience or legitimate purpose.

"Wrongdoers turned a good newsroom bad and this was not fully understood or adequately pursued.

"As a result, the News of the World and News International wrongly maintained that these issues were confined to one reporter.

"We now have voluntarily given evidence to the police that I believe will prove that this was untrue and those who acted wrongly will have to face the consequences. This was not the only fault.

"The paper made statements to Parliament without being in the full possession of the facts. This was wrong.

"The company paid out-of-court settlements approved by me. I now know that I did not have a complete picture when I did so. This was wrong and is a matter of serious regret."

He reiterated that the company was fully co-operating with the two ongoing police investigations.

He added: "While we may never be able to make up for distress that has been caused, the right thing to do is for every penny of the circulation revenue we receive this weekend to go to organisations - many of whom are long-term friends and partners - that improve life in Britain and are devoted to treating others with dignity."

Labour MP Tom Watson told Sky News it was "a victory for decent people up and down the land, and I say good riddance to the News of the World".

via bbc.co.uk

Amazing,but welcome!

Google Reader (1000+)

2011-06-22T21:13:00.001+01:00

Interesting.

BBC News - Are children becoming 'digitally illiterate'?

2011-06-12T21:20:00.001+01:00

Fascinating stuff!

BBC News - Leeds MP Greg Mulholland calls for Carlsberg boycott

2011-05-26T11:46:00.001+01:00

26 May 2011 Last updated at 11:07

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Leeds MP Greg Mulholland calls for Carlsberg boycott

Carlsberg is to close the Tetley's brewery in Leeds after 189 years of brewing in the city

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Tetley's 188-year brewing history

Famous Tetley's brewery to close

An MP has called for a boycott of beer produced by Carlsberg because the firm is closing the historic Tetley brewing plant in Leeds.

Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat MP for North West Leeds, has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House claiming the move is a betrayal of the city.

Tetley's Brewery, at Brewery Wharfe, which has been producing beer for 189 years, is due to close on 17 June with the loss of 140 jobs.

Carlsberg was unavailable for comment.

Mr Mulholland said pubs, bars and clubs in the city should "de-list" Carlsberg brands and support local breweries instead.

In the motion put before Parliament Mr Mulholland said all the people of Leeds, and beer-lovers in general, "should express their anger at the decision".

The motion reads: "That this House condemns the closure of the Tetley's Brewery which will take place on 17 June 2011, a decision taken by Carlsberg UK which will end the brewery's 189-year history and longstanding affiliation with Leeds by signalling the end of Tetley's as a Leeds beer."

The motion goes on to describe the decision as a "betrayal of Leeds and the Tetley's brand" which shows that "Carlsberg UK is not committed either to Tetley's nor to Leeds".

It also expresses sympathy to those people losing their jobs as a result of the closure.

via bbc.co.uk

Shame--part of Leeds,really!Dad worked there after the war.

U.S. Judgment Day forecaster sets new doomsday date | Reuters

2011-05-24T12:42:00.001+01:00

U.S. Judgment Day forecaster sets new doomsday date

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As hours tick by, "Judgment Day" looks a dud
Sun, May 22 2011
Broadcaster silent as "Judgment Day" hours tick by
Sat, May 21 2011
Predictor of May 21 doomsday to watch it on TV
Fri, May 20 2011
Predictor of May 21 Judgment Day to monitor news broadcasts
Thu, May 19 2011
Manila shrugging off foreign prophets of May 21 doomsday
Thu, May 12 2011

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Oddly Enough »

By Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES | Tue May 24, 2011 5:14am BST

LOS ANGELES
(Reuters) - The evangelical Christian broadcaster whose much-ballyhooed Judgement Day prophecy went conspicuously unfulfilled on Saturday has a simple explanation for what went wrong -- he miscalculated.
Instead of the world physically coming to an end on May 21 with a great, cataclysmic earthquake, as he had predicted, Harold Camping, 89, said he now believes his forecast is playing out "spiritually," with the actual apocalypse set to occur five months later, on October 21.
Camping, who launched a doomsday countdown in which some followers spent their life's savings in anticipation of being swept into heaven, issued his correction during an appearance on his "Open Forum" radio show from Oakland, California.
The headquarters of Camping's Family Radio network of 66 U.S. stations had been shuttered over the weekend with a sign on the door that read, "This Office is Closed. Sorry we missed you!"
During a sometimes rambling, 90-minute discourse that included a question-and-answer session with reporters, Camping said he felt bad that Saturday had come and gone without the Rapture he had felt so certain would take place.
Reflecting on scripture afterward, Camping said it "dawned" on him that a "merciful and compassionate God" would spare humanity from "hell on Earth for five months" by compressing the physical apocalypse into a shorter time frame.
But he insisted that October 21 has always been the end-point of his own End Times chronology, or at least, his latest chronology.
The tall, gaunt former civil engineer with a deep voice and prominent ears has been wrong before. More than two decades ago, he publicly acknowledged a failed 1994 prophecy of Christ's return to Earth.
To publicize his latest pronouncement, the Family Radio network posted over 2,000 billboards around the country declaring that Judgement Day was at hand, and believers carried the message on placards in shopping malls and street corners.
Asked what advice he would give to followers who gave up much or all of their worldly possessions in the belief that his Judgement Day forecast would come true, Camping drew a comparison to the nation's recent economic slump.
"We just had a great recession. There's lots of people who lost their jobs, lots of people who lost their houses ... and somehow they all survived," he said.
"People cope, he added. "We're not in the business of giving any financial advice. We're in the business of telling people maybe there is someone you can talk to, and that's God."
(Editing by Greg McCune)

Oddly Enough

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Aah--that's it then!

BBC News - Kingfisher family seen learning to fish near Castleford

2011-05-19T18:49:00.001+01:00

19 May 2011 Last updated at 18:22

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Kingfisher family seen learning to fish near Castleford

The family of kingfishers were seen teaching their young how to fish near Castleford

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Ramsey Kingfisher captured on camera

Why are kingfishers making a comeback?

A family of kingfishers have been seen seen teaching their young how to fish at an RSPB site in West Yorkshire.

The three young Kingfishers and their parents were seen at RSPB Fairburn Ings, Castleford.

The RSPB said it was "great" to see the family as there had been concerns that they did not have enough food to survive the harsh winter.

Kingfishers are usually seen flying low over slow moving or still water and diving for fish.

Laura Bentley, from RSPB Fairburn Ings said: "In the cold harsh winter our lakes and ponds were frozen solid for months so we were very worried for our kingfishers not being able to get enough food.

"Most people would be lucky to see one Kingfisher in their lifetime, let alone five all together.

"But seeing a whole, healthy looking family is a great sign."

via bbc.co.uk

Local wildlife come good!

Today: 'Raising a glass' to Ballesteros

2011-05-07T21:02:00.001+01:00

Nice TRIBUTE!

BBC News - Airbus crash: France raises first body from seabed

2011-05-05T12:52:00.001+01:00

5 May 2011 Last updated at 12:20

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Airbus crash: France raises first body from seabed

The cockpit voice recorder was found earlier this week by crash investigators

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Air France voice recorder found

Conflicting emotions of Air France crash relatives

The politics of air crash investigations

A French team has recovered the first body from the seabed debris of the Air France jet that crashed into the Atlantic in 2009, killing 228 people.

The body was brought to the surface by mini-submarines from a depth of almost 4km (2.4 miles).

Samples are being sent to labs in France for DNA identification. Police are not sure whether all the bodies can be raised from the wreckage.

Data on the recovered flight recorders may indicate the cause of the crash.

The Air France Airbus A330 was flying from Rio de Janeiro to Paris when it plunged into the sea.

Flight AF 447 was carrying 228 people. Fifty-one bodies were found floating on the surface in 2009.

The French team is using deep-sea robots in the salvage operation.

The body brought up to a ship on Thursday consisted of skeletal remains, still strapped to a seat.

Relatives of the crash victims are divided over whether to move the bodies at all, with some arguing for repatriation and others saying the crash site should be the final resting place.

via bbc.co.uk

Amazing feat!

Hottest Easter since records began.

2011-04-24T17:56:00.001+01:00

No complaints here!

Amplify’d from www.telegraph.co.uk

Britain is on course for the hottest Easter since records began in 1960 and the warmest April in more than a century.

Millions of holidaymakers flocked to beaches across the country to make the
most of the unseasonably warm weather.

But forecasters warned the glorious sunshine will be short-lived as
temperatures look set to drop gradually throughout the week, starting on
Sunday.

Some parts of the country were even hit by torrential downpours on Saturday
afternoon.

In Sheffield, South Yorkshire, some roads became impassable as hailstorms fell
and flood water formed several inches deep.

Parts of Kent, London, east Wales, the East Midlands, and Yorkshire were also
hit by heavy rain.
Read more at www.telegraph.co.uk

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/fPDXVR

Lost Taser

2011-04-07T21:24:00.001+01:00

Not Good!

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

West Yorkshire Police has admitted one of its Taser weapons has gone missing and appealed to the public for information on its whereabouts.

The force said an extensive search was under way for the stun gun, used by police to deliver an electric shock.

It has gone missing from a storage unit at the force's Leeds training ground.

The Taser was being used for training

A spokesman said it was likely to still be on police premises, but a public appeal was being made "on the off-chance" anyone has information.

The Taser was being used for training purposes, he added.

The spokesman said: "It is very likely the training Taser's battery is now inert and unable to be discharged.

"We would like to remind the public it is a prohibited weapon and as such it is illegal for a member of the public to possess one."
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

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BBC News - Japan: Tsunami warning for north-east after earthquake

2011-04-07T16:08:00.001+01:00

7 April 2011 Last updated at 15:57

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Japan: Tsunami warning for north-east after earthquake

A tsunami warning has been issued for north-eastern Japan after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck off the east coast of Honshu.

The tsunami is predicted to have a wave 1m (3ft) high. Those in the warning zone should move to high ground, Japanese TV said.

The area was ravaged by an earthquake and tsunami last month which severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Thursday's quake was 118km (78 miles) north of Fukushima, 40km offshore.

The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), which operates Fukushima, says it is checking on the situation at the damaged plant following the latest earthquake.

The quake was strong enough to shake buildings in Tokyo.

via bbc.co.uk

Yet another ordeal for the Japanese!

BBC Sport - Masters 2011: Fire forces Lee Westwood jet to land

2011-04-05T11:34:00.001+01:00

Masters 2011

Venue: Augusta National, Georgia:

Date: 7-10 April

Coverage: All rounds live on BBC Radio 5 live and online from 2100 BST; third round live from 2030 BST and final round live from 1900 BST on BBC2, BBC HD and online (UK only); scores, highlights and live text on BBC website

Westwood was runner-up at Augusta last year.
World number two Lee Westwood's private jet made an emergency landing as he flew to the Masters at Augusta after a fire broke out in the cockpit.

Westwood, who was travelling from the Houston Open with Ryder Cup team-mate Ross Fisher, said it was "a bit scary".

"It never looks good when you can smell smoke and the pilots have put masks on," added the 2010 Masters runner-up.

Earlier he had asked on Twitter: "Do the fire engines normally follow you down the runway?"

He continued: "Only when there's smoke in the cabin I guess!!! They're not here to put my putter out! That's not on fire! Gone a bit quiet on here!!!"

On arrival at Augusta National on Monday the Englishman stated: "The smoke was coming from the cockpit and they told us later they couldn't drop our masks because they feed oxygen into the cabin and if there was a fire it would have fanned the flames.

"The plane came down in a bit of a nose dive because you obviously have to get down as quick as you can.

"There had been a small fire somewhere in the instruments and we had the three fire tenders chasing us down the runaway, but I think that's just a precaution."

Westwood's manager Andrew "Chubby" Chandler told BBC Sport it had "definitely got a bit cloudy in the cabin.

"There were a few quizzical looks, then we turned round and saw the pilots had full gasmasks on.

"We came down fairly quickly and it was the usual story of two or three vans and fire engines all standing down the runway."

Hope his luck continues in the MASTERS.

BBC News - UK radio pushes online listening

2011-04-01T13:24:00.001+01:00

31 March 2011 Last updated at 15:40

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UK radio pushes online listening

Users will be able to search across BBC and commercial radio stations

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Date set for online radio service

Radio 'scrappage' scheme launched

Many of the UK's biggest radio broadcasters have joined forces to launch a system for listening to their stations over the internet.

UK Radioplayer brings together commercial outlets alongside BBC stations in an attempt to boost online listening.

Only 3% of people access radio via the web and growth has been sluggish.

Although broadcasters will now use the same interface, they are free to customise it and include advertising.

Among the radio groups supporting the project are Global, GMG, Bauer Media and UTV Radio, as well as the BBC.

Tim Davie, director of audio and music at the BBC, welcomed the move, but conceded it was perhaps overdue.

"It is true that, to a certain extent, the radio industry has lacked the level of innovation of television," he said.

Mr Davie suggested that the launch of UK Radioplayer, along with a BBC trial of high bitrate HD radio, indicated a renewed determination to innovate.
No guarantee of quality
The UK Radioplayer is intended to offer some consistency to users, with all players having the same basic controls, search function and favourites option.

However the system does not guarantee that all radio stations will provide the same quality of audio stream.

Broadcasters remain free to chose lower or higher bitrates, said Michael Hill, managing director of Radioplayer Ltd.

He told BBC News: "We wanted to leave it to stations to chose their own bitrate. That is the way for small stations to keep their costs down."

At launch, the Radioplayer will only work on devices that are capable of running Adobe's Flash platform. That includes most personal computers and some mobile phones and tablets.

A version capable of running on Apple devices will follow shortly, said Mr Hill.

UK Radioplayer has been broadly welcomed, even by those who have previously voiced scepticism about industry's digital strategy.

William Rogers, chief executive of radio group UKRD, is a critic of the DAB system. He believes that internet broadcasting may be a better way to proceed.

"This will improve the online offering of radio and undoubtedly assist listening.

"I do not think it will be a panacea," he said. "But it is a step in the right direction."

via bbc.co.uk

A good idea-and it WORKS!

BBC News - Nuclear power plants shut down in Germany

2011-03-15T11:58:00.001Z

15 March 2011 Last updated at 11:51

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Nuclear power plants shut down in Germany

Germany had decided to prolong the life of its nuclear power plants

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Europe reviewing nuclear projects

German nuclear extension halted

Japan atomic plant alarming - Kan

Germany has temporarily shut down seven of its nuclear power plants while it reconsiders its nuclear strategy.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said all reactors that went into operation before 1980 would be taken offline, while safety checks would be carried on the country's remaining plants.

All safety questions would be answered by 15 June, she said.

The decision comes after concerns about radiation leaks at a Japanese plant after last Friday's earthquake.

Last year, Germany decided to extend the life of its 17 nuclear power plants by 12 years, but that decision was suspended for three months on Monday.

The government had faced growing pressure for the extension to be scrapped.

More than a quarter of all German electricity comes from nuclear power.

The Swiss government has also suspended decisions on its nuclear programme.

The European Commission is holding a meeting of ministers and experts on Tuesday to discuss the implications of the explosions at Japanese reactors on the European nuclear industry.

Concerns are growing about radiation leaks at a nuclear plant in Japan that has been hit by a third explosion in four days following last week's earthquake and resulting tsunami.

The blast occurred at reactor 2 at the Fukushima Daiichi plant - 250km (155 miles) north-east of Tokyo - which engineers had been trying to stabilise after two other reactors exploded.

via bbc.co.uk

Lessons from Japan?

Spotify: Big Numbers

2011-03-08T10:52:00.001Z

Spotify founders Martin Lorentzon and Daniel Ek
Image: Spotify
Popular European music streaming service Spotify opened the kimono a little bit, revealing that they have 1 million paying users.
As AllThingsD's Peter Kafka points out, that's 15% of their around 7 million active users. That's an absolutely astounding number. Most "freemium" startups are told to expect around 1% of their users to convert to paid, and 5% is considered really good. So 15% is really huge. It's even bigger when you consider that we're talking about online music, which can be obtained totally free (albeit illegally and somewhat inconveniently).

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Spotify is an amazing product and business that has probably "cracked the code" on building a music service that users love and that can make tons of money. Your writer has been a happy Spotify premium subscriber for over a year and loves it.

Don't Miss: DST Is Going To Pour $100 Million In Spotify →

via businessinsider.com

Glad to see SPOT looks as though it is here to stay!

BBC World Service - Programmes - Outlook-rescue

2011-03-07T14:52:00.001Z

via bbc.co.uk

Moving story!

RAF Rescue

2011-02-26T18:45:00.001Z

Good news-those guys in the desert must be SO relieved!

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

Two RAF Hercules have rescued about 150 workers from the Libyan desert, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said.

The planes, carrying Britons and other foreign nationals, have reached Malta.

An RAF C130 Hercules at Valletta airport in Malta

Fears had been growing for British citizens left in the country which has been plunged into chaos as protests against Col Gaddafi's regime continue.

Meanwhile, the last government-chartered flight on which Britons could escape has left Tripoli and the British embassy there has suspended operations.
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bruhd

FridNightComedy

2011-02-19T20:32:00.001Z

Wonderful stuff!

Duchess of Cornwall on the ARCHERS

2011-02-16T21:26:00.001Z

Good on 'er!

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

made a guest appearance on The Archers, to help celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The Duchess of Cornwall has made a guest appearance on The Archers, to help celebrate its 60th anniversary.

She featured on the BBC Radio 4 drama making a Royal visit to Ambridge in her role as president of the National Osteoporosis Society, with the whole village turning out to meet her.

The Duchess spent the morning prior to her radio debut at BBC Birmingham, saying it was an opportunity to meet the cast, and put faces to the names that had kept her entertained for 30 years.

In her first scene on the show, she enquired after the health of Caroline Sterling's uncle.
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

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Tiger Woods fined for spitting.

2011-02-14T15:04:00.001Z

Nothing going his way at the moment!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Woods was visibly frustrated during his final round in Dubai

Tiger Woods is to be fined by the European Tour for spitting during the Dubai Desert Classic.

The former world number one spat on the ground, a few feet from the hole, after missing a par putt at the 12th during his final round on Sunday.

Woods was found guilty of breaching the European Tour's code of conduct and will be fined an undisclosed sum.

His closing round of 75 was Woods's worst ever finish in a regular European Tour event.
Read more at news.bbc.co.uk

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/f0onvC

BBC Sport - Horse Racing - Two horses die before start of race at Newbury

2011-02-12T14:14:00.001Z

An investigation has been launched after two horses died in the paddock shortly before the start of their hurdles race at Newbury.
Fenix Two and Marching Song collapsed and fell to the ground, with the reasons for their deaths unknown.
Some horses made it down to the start but there were reports that others had "wobbled" on entering the paddock.
Marching Song's trainer Andy Turnell said: "He went straight down. It looks like they've been electrocuted."
Nicky Henderson, the trainer of a third horse, was quick to withdraw his runner Kid Cassidy, but the novice hurdle race went ahead and was won by Paul Nicholls' Al Ferof.
Henderson said: "About a minute before it happened, Kid Cassidy was walking in the same corner of the paddock. I had my back turned but my daughter said 'your horse has gone down'.
"He got back up again and he went to the start. All the horses at the start had their hearts checked and he was fine, but he was desperately keen so I decided to take him out.
"Electrocution is the most obvious possibility. Nobody is to blame really, but I think you'd only really find out when they've done a post-mortem.
"The worse thing is what happened to the horses and it's all very odd."
Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Fenix Two, said: "Kid Cassidy was in front and he took a turn.
"We thought he was bucking and kicking and he went down on his knees then he seemed to be OK.
"Mine reared up and we couldn't get him back, it was like he was stuck to the ground. It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life."
Al Ferof's owner Paul Barber was in the paddock and said: "The girl [leading] Turnell's said she felt a tingling as she led them round and then Nicky's horse went down.
"They were getting the shocks off the grass, not off the tarmac. I've never seen anything quite like that ever."
Stipendiary steward Paul Barton said: "We are going to hold an inquiry and interview those connected with the horses.
"We are not going to use the parade ring for the rest of the meeting. The horses will parade in the pre-parade ring and leave from that point.
"The veterinary team are in charge of whatever precautions as far as the other horses are concerned. They have checked all other horses in this race."

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A real Mystery--Meeting has been called off!

Cricket mourns Trevor Bailey

2011-02-10T14:09:00.001Z

One of the cricketing heroes from my youth!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Bailey batting against Australia in an Ashes Test match in 1953

Cricket is mourning former England Test player Trevor Bailey, who died in a fire at his home aged 87.

Bailey played 61 Tests for England during his playing career and later was a member of the BBC Test Match Special Commentary team for 26 years.

Posting on social network site Twitter, BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew said: "Desperate news re. Trevor Bailey. Dogged batsman, aggressive bowler. Intelligent cricketer. Wonderfully concise pundit. Great sense of humour."
Read more at news.bbc.co.uk

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BBC News - Are governments closing the net around web freedom?

2011-02-05T21:30:00.001Z

Good start for Murray,but will it end in tears again?

2011-01-18T21:05:00.001Z

2 Brit girls through first round.

2011-01-17T15:12:00.001Z

So far so Good!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

British number one Elena Balatcha will face seven-time major winner Justine Henin after a 3-6 6-4 7-5 win over Jamie Hampton at the Australian Open.

Baltacha, 27, who reached the third round last year, beat the American qualifier in two hours 27 minutes.

Londoner Anne Keothavong also made the second round with a 7-5 6-4 win over Russia's Arina Rodionova.
Read more at news.bbc.co.uk

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/eo5y5u

Banker-don't care now.

2011-01-12T18:25:00.001Z

He will find it easy to live with the criticism once he leaves with his bonus!

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

Lloyds' Eric Daniels in line for £2m bonus

Lloyds Banking Group boss Eric Daniels is in line for a bonus of about £2m this year, the BBC has learned.

Mr Daniels, who steps down in March, has turned down a bonus in the past two years but will not do so again, sources told BBC business editor Robert Peston.

Mr Daniels is stepping down as Lloyds boss in March

The government bailed out Lloyds after it took over HBOS in 2008, and still holds a 41% stake in the bank.
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

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Music to fit the day:

2011-01-10T12:57:00.001Z

TMS: Ashley Kerekes (aka @theashes), 05 Jan 11

2011-01-05T12:20:00.001Z

Amazing TWITTER story!

Facebook used in hunt for Jo Yeates' killer

2011-01-04T12:58:00.001Z

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

Detectives have begun a Facebook campaign in a bid to catch the killer of Jo Yeates.

Her body was found on Christmas Day, in Longwood Lane, Failand, eight days after she was reported missing from her home in Clifton, Bristol.

The body of Jo Yeates was found near Bristol on Christmas Day

The campaign involves an advert that will allow people to contact the incident room via the social networking site rather than calling in.

Police said Facebook was more effective than posters and leaflet drops.

Det Ch Insp Phil Jones, of Avon and Somerset Police, said he hoped the Facebook appeal would encourage more people to come forward with information.
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

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Ashes Retained?

2010-12-28T20:02:00.001Z

Looking good for Eng...if they win this then the ASHES are retained

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Graeme Swann accounted for Michael Clarke as Australia's batting crumbled

England moved closer to retaining the Ashes for the first time in 24 years following another dominant display at the Melbourne Test on day three.

England added 69 to their overnight total as they were dismissed for 513, with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 168.

ing steadily at 99-1 when Tim Bresnan ripped through the middle o

Australia had been progressing steadily at 99-1 when Tim Bresnan ripped through the middle order with three wickets for five runs in the final session.

The hosts ended the day on 169-6, still 246 runs adrift of the tourists.
Read more at news.bbc.co.uk

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Moment of triumph as Eng beat Aus in the 2nd Ashes TEST.

2010-12-07T10:47:00.001Z

http://topnews.co.uk/216717-organised-gangs-selling-fake-secur...

Murray ready for Nadal?

2010-11-27T12:23:00.001Z

He HAS the game to beat Nadal,if he plays at his best!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Andy Murray knows he will be the underdog when he takes on world number one Rafael Nadal in the last four of the ATP World Tour Finals on Saturday.

Both men will be making their first appearance in the semi-finals in London after exiting at the group stage when the end-of-season championships made its debut at the O2 Arena in 2009.

The pair will meet in the afternoon match at 1400 GMT, with Roger Federer playing Novak Djokovic in the second semi at 2000 GMT.

For Murray, this weekend offers the possibility of landing the biggest title of his career to date, while Nadal is desperate for victory in the one significant tournament that remains for him to win.
Read more at news.bbc.co.uk

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Organised gangs selling fake security software | TopNews United Kingdom

2010-11-15T15:21:00.001Z

Hard to believe people are falling for this!

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/c0u7kH

BBC - Beyond the Blitz: 70 stories for 70 years

2010-11-14T08:49:00.001Z

URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/coventry/hi/people_and_plac...

Stories for today!

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FriComedy: 12 Nov 2010

2010-11-12T20:12:00.001Z

Wonderful!

BBC News - Qianlong Chinese porcelain vase sold for £43m

2010-11-12T13:38:00.001Z

via bbc.co.uk

Phew--made a bit more than the 1.2million expected!

BBC News - Army medic awarded Military Cross for bravery

2010-11-09T20:14:00.001Z

via bbc.co.uk

Amazing bravery!

BBC News - Large Hadron Collider (LHC) generates a 'mini-Big Bang'

2010-11-08T21:05:00.001Z

8 November 2010 Last updated at 16:12

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Large Hadron Collider (LHC) generates a 'mini-Big Bang'
By Katia Moskvitch Science reporter, BBC News
One of the lead-ion collisions at the LHC

Continue reading the main story
Related stories

LHC to create a 'mini-Big Bang'

LHC finds 'interesting effects'

LHC smashes beam collision record

The Large Hadron Collider has successfully created a "mini-Big Bang" by smashing together lead ions instead of protons.

The scientists working at the enormous machine on Franco-Swiss border achieved the unique conditions on 7 November.

The experiment created temperatures a million times hotter than the centre of the Sun.

The LHC is housed in a 27km-long circular tunnel under the French-Swiss border near Geneva.

Up until now, the world's highest-energy particle accelerator - which is run by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern) - has been colliding protons, in a bid to uncover mysteries of the Universe's formation.

Continue reading the main story
THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER

The LHC is smashing together particles in a bid to unlock the secrets of formation of our Universe

It is operated by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern) in Geneva

The collider is housed in a 27km-long circular tunnel under the French-Swiss border

The giant tunnel is located an average of 100m underground

The LHC is the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator

The circumference of the LHC is 26 659 m, with a total of 9300 magnets inside

The magnets are cooled to an operating temperature of -271.3°C (1.9 K) - colder than deep space

Large Hadron Collider: A Guide

Proton collisions could help spot the elusive Higgs boson particle and signs of new physical laws, such as a framework called supersymmetry.

But for the next four weeks, scientists at the LHC will concentrate on analysing the data obtained from the lead ion collisions.

This way, they hope to learn more about the plasma the Universe was made of a millionth of a second after the Big Bang, 13.7 billion years ago.

One of the accelerator's experiments, ALICE, has been specifically designed to smash together lead ions, but the ATLAS and Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiments have also switched to the new mode.

'Strong force'

David Evans from the University of Birmingham, UK, is one of the researchers working at ALICE.

He said that the collisions obtained were able to generate the highest temperatures and densities ever produced in an experiment.

"We are thrilled with the achievement," said Dr Evans.

The ALICE experiment has been designed specifically for lead ion collisions

"This process took place in a safe, controlled environment, generating incredibly hot and dense sub-atomic fireballs with temperatures of over ten trillion degrees, a million times hotter than the centre of the Sun.

"At these temperatures even protons and neutrons, which make up the nuclei of atoms, melt resulting in a hot dense soup of quarks and gluons known as a quark-gluon plasma."

Quarks and gluons are sub-atomic particles - some of the building blocks of matter. In the state known as quark-gluon plasma, they are freed of their attraction to one another. This plasma is believed to have existed just after the Big Bang.

He explained that by studying the plasma, physicists hoped to learn more about the so-called strong force - the force that binds the nuclei of atoms together and that is responsible for 98% of their mass.

After the LHC finishes colliding lead ions, it will go back to smashing together protons once again.

via bbc.co.uk

Phew!

BBC News - Facebook page for Queen Elizabeth

2010-11-07T15:46:00.001Z

via bbc.co.uk

Want a new friend?

BBC Sport - Cricket - Ashes: Andrew Strauss hundred sets up England tour win

2010-11-07T10:25:00.001Z

Skipper Andrew Strauss hit 120 not out as England beat Western Australia by six wickets in their opening warm-up game ahead of the Ashes series.

The Middlesex batsman's 141-ball knock featured a six and 15 fours as he led his side home on 243-4 in Perth.

England's only concern was a second failure for Alastair Cook, who fell for nine after they had bowled out the state side for 223.

Spinner Graeme Swann was the tourists' most successful bowler, with 4-101.

Developing a winning habit early in the tour was one of England's goals on arriving in Australia and the manner in which they went about their run-chase at the Waca Ground was a reflection of the confidence within the camp

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Last of the Bird Food:lonely Nov pears!

2010-11-06T15:32:00.001Z

Single Mom Fined $1.5 Million for Downloading Music

2010-11-06T12:14:00.001Z

Seems a bit HARSH?

Amplify’d from news.gather.com

Single Mom Fined $1.5 Million for Downloading Music

A Minnesota woman has been fined $1.5 million for illegally downloading and sharing music online. Her attorney argues the fine is unreasonable.

"A federal jury found Wednesday that Jammie Thomas-Rasset, of Brainerd, must pay $62,500 per song — for a total of $1.5 million — for illegally violating copyrights on 24 songs. This was the third jury to consider damages in her case, and each has found that she must pay — though different amounts," according to MSNBC.
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Ashes Tour

2010-11-04T21:20:00.001Z

Complacency would be a big mistake!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Collingwood hones his catching in the slip cordon during England training

England stalwart Paul Collingwood insisted the tourists would not be distracted by Australia's poor run.

The Australians suffered their sixth successive defeat on Wednesday when they lost by one-wicket in a one-day international against Sri Lanka.

England play their first warm-up match on Friday against Western Australia, and Collingwood said: "We're preparing ourselves to do well in these games.

"Most of us watched Australia but we're more focused on what we've got to do."

Australia have lost a Test against Pakistan, two Tests and a one-day international against India, with two washed out, plus a Twenty20 and the opening one-day international with Sri Lanka.
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BBC News - Baby caught by passer-by after seven floor fall

2010-11-03T21:38:00.001Z

via bbc.co.uk

A bit of GOOD news for a change!

Mother pleads Guilty.

2010-10-28T18:46:00.001+01:00

Disturbing stuff!

Amplify’d from mashable.com

A 22-year-old mother from Jacksonville, Florida, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shaking her 3-month-old son to death after his crying interrupted her FarmVille game.

The mother, Alexandra V. Tobias, was arrested in January and declared her plea on Wednesday before Circuit Judge Adrian G. Soud, The Florida Times-Union reports.

She told investigators that she shook the baby, smoked a cigarette “to compose herself,” and proceeded to shake him again. The baby may have hit his head during one of the two shakings, she said.

FarmVille, named one of the “worst inventions” in recent decades by Time magazine, has more than 60 million members, most of whom access the game through Facebook. Some players have found it so addicting that they’ve lost their jobs and racked up debts north of $1,000.

Needless to say, it is Ms. Tobias — and not the game itself — that is responsible for the death of her 3-month-old son. This is not the first time that a virtual game has led to murder; in 2009, 28-year-old Joseph Johnson of Chicago was charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting his companion in the head while playing an Xbox game.
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BBC Sport - Cricket - Allan Lamb dismisses Lillee's 'nonsense' Ashes call

2010-10-26T20:34:00.001+01:00

By Sam Sheringham

Allan Lamb played 20 Tests against Australia between 1982 and 1991

Former England captain Allan Lamb has rubbished Dennis Lillee's claim that Australia have the better bowling attack and will win back the Ashes.
Ex-Aussie paceman Lillee has questioned England's ability to take 20 wickets.
But Lamb told BBC Sport: "I think Dennis Lillee has lost it. He's talking absolute nonsense. He must be drinking that Bundaberg rum or something.
"I think on paper the England side is a far better all-round team and they should win pretty comfortably 3-1."
The mudslinging between two veterans of Ashes past has added extra spice to the build-up to a five-Test series that begins in Brisbane on 25 November.
England fly out on Friday for the start of a tour in which they will hope to win the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time since 1987.

606: DEBATE

What is your prediction for the Ashes series?

Since then, England have mustered only three victories in 25 Tests in Australia, but a recent slump by Ricky Ponting's side has raised hopes that Andrew Strauss's men can hold on to the famous urn they captured in England in 2009.
However Lillee, whose new ball partnership with Jeff Thompson tore England apart in the 1974/75 series, said Australia's attack is better-equipped than England's to bowl the opposition out twice.
"If I look at both attacks I think Australia - even without [Shane] Warne and [Glenn] McGrath - have a better attack than England," he said.
"England's spinning attack - they may use spin twins [Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar] - may be better than ours because Nathan Hauritz is still evolving, but overall our attack is better and that's where games are won."
Lamb, a member of Mike Gatting's triumphant 1986-87 side, expressed a different opinion.
The former middle order batsman is confident that England seamers James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Chris Tremlett can be a handful in Australian conditions, and believes off-spinner Swann could prove the difference between the sides.
"Swann will be a huge trump card," he said. "He's got better figures than Warne at the same stage of their careers.
"I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over their spinners."

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BBC Sport - Football - Wayne Rooney signs five-year Manchester United deal

2010-10-22T13:42:00.001+01:00

Rooney's new deal is set to keep him at Old Trafford until at least June 2015

Wayne Rooney has made a shock U-turn and agreed a new five-year contract at Manchester United just days after announcing his intention to leave.
On Wednesday the 24-year-old striker said concerns over the club's squad strength were behind his original decision not to sign a new deal.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I'm delighted Wayne's agreed to stay."
Rooney stated: "I said on Wednesday the manager's a genius and it's his belief and support that convinced me to stay."
He added: "I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. I've spoken to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this where I belong.
"I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history - which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.

606: DEBATE

First thing Rooney should do now, apologise to the fans and his team-mates. Can't decide whether I'm pleased or not to be honest

come again?

"I am sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they have read and seen.
"But my position was from concern over the future.
"The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it's up to me through my performances to win them over again."
The agreement ends a period of intensive discussions at Old Trafford after Rooney issued a statement in which he revealed that United chief David Gill had not given him the assurance he was seeking about the future squad.
"It's been a difficult week but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United," Ferguson told the club's website.
"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand.
"I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.
"I'm pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players.
"It shows character and belief in what we stand for.
"I'm sure everyone involved with the Club will now get behind Wayne and show him the support he needs to produce the performances we know he is capable of."
United supporter Liam Bradford, who is the assistant editor of the Red News fanzine told Radio 5 live: "I'm completely flabbergasted.
"It's been one of those weeks. It's been completely mad.
"I don't know whether this has been planned all along and this was just some elaborate mind game that Sir Alex Ferguson was playing with Wayne Rooney on board or whether it has just been completely surreal for the last seven days.
"At the end of the day, he is a world-class footballer and I really wouldn't want to see him anywhere else. I think I'm more relieved that anything he is not going across the city to the team that plays in blue."
Rooney moved to Old Trafford from Everton in 2004 for £25.6m and helped the club win three successive Premier League titles from 2007-09.

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What was all that about then?

5LSOTD: Blunkett's guide dog retires 18 Oct 10

2010-10-18T21:27:00.001+01:00

Happy Retirement Sadie!

Murray v Federer in Shanghai Masters.

2010-10-16T15:28:00.001+01:00

Will he flatter to deceive again?

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Andy Murray powered into the Shanghai Masters final with an impressive 6-4 6-1 win over Argentine Juan Monaco.

The Briton, 23, will now face Roger Federer in Sunday's final after the Swiss beat Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-4 in the second semi-final.

Murray is chasing his second Masters title this season

Murray, seeking only his second title of the season, came through a tight first set against the unseeded Monaco.

But the fourth seed stepped up his play in the second and quickly wrapped up victory after 85 minutes on court.
Read more at news.bbc.co.uk

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BBC - Billy Bragg opens doors in Armley Jail

2010-10-16T10:28:00.001+01:00

Bragg makes a point on the Andrew Marr show

Singer/songwriter Billy Bragg will be visiting Armley Jail launching his Jail Guitar Doors charity.
Bragg's visit to the Victorian building on Monday 18 October hopes to rehabilitate prisoners through music.
The charity was formed in 2007, since then Bragg's unusual charity has donated guitars to more than 20 prisons.
Armley will be the 23rd prison to take up the musical programme.
In 2007 Bragg was looking to do something positive to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of the Clash's Joe Strummer when he received a request from a local jail.
Malcolm Dudley, a drug and alcohol counsellor, was setting up a guitar class as a way of engaging prisoners. He was running short of instruments and asked Bragg to help, that was the catalyst.
Jail Guitar Doors is titled after a Clash single 'B' side of that name.

Billy Bragg will be inside Armley with his guitars

Billy Bragg has said: "Prison has to be about much more than just locking people up. We want people to be able to move on from their situation and reconnect with the outside world, and my hunch was that playing an instrument - particularly a guitar - could help that."
Bragg has just returned from Scotland visiting a series of prisons for his charity.
Breaking Rocks
In July Breaking Rocks, the documentary film about the work of the charity, was shown in Leeds with Bragg in attendance at the Hyde Park Picture House.
It was after watching the film at that event that Leeds-based musician Gary Kaye volunteered to help. He will organise Jail Guitar Doors at Armley and will be at the launch along with Bragg.

Gary hasn't worked in prison before this scheme

Kaye, 40, the former poet in residence for Leeds United said: "I was inspired by the film and Billy said, 'I'll provide the guitars, you set it up'."
"I understand prison is about punishment and rehabilitation. What Jail Guitar Doors is trying to do is to give the prisoners another way of communicating, to voice how they feel.
"Billy always stresses, 'The guitars are not a gift, they are an opportunity. If you use the opportunity you can benefit'."
Two former inmates that were helped by the charity have used their opportunity well, even featuring on the Leftfield stage (curated by Bragg) at this year's Glastonbury festival.
Kaye is a full-time teacher and will be helping the charity at Armley during the evenings. He is looking forward to the challenge.
Positive experience
"I have been seeking a lot of advice and it says it's a positive experience. I just think the prisoners deserve a chance."
Bragg, 52, claims that his life was dramatically changed after seeing the Clash play live in 1978 at Victoria Park, London at a huge Anti Nazi League concert. And his first album Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy was released in 1983.
In 1985 his song A New England became a Top 10 hit in the UK for Kirsty MacColl.
Bragg is now almost as well known for his work with grass root political movements and commentating on the issues of the day.

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Interesting idea!

BBC News - 12th Chile miner reaches surface as camera films rescue tunnel

2010-10-13T19:15:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Amazing day's news!

BBC News - Breakthrough in Chile mine rescue

2010-10-09T14:06:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Wonderful NEWS!

ST.Gemma's theft!

2010-10-06T21:14:00.001+01:00

Oh dear.

Amplify’d from www.bbc.co.uk

A Leeds hospice is losing hundreds of pounds a week in charity donations as thieves steal doorstep collection bags.

The hospice said the thefts could equate to an annual loss of £20,000

St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown has seen a big increase in thefts since July and estimated it could lose £20,000 this year alone if the trend continued.

Police are also investigating break-ins at the charity's shop in Alwoodley.

Vicky Burnett, the charity's retail manager, said: "They are taking money directly away from our patients and their families, which is just awful."
Read more at www.bbc.co.uk

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Nail biting win for Europe in the Ryder Cup!

2010-10-04T21:24:00.001+01:00

Amazing - Trapped miners clear drill rubble

2010-09-30T14:26:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Extraordinary footage of the miners in Chile!

BBC Sport - Golf - Colin Montgomerie on Seve Ballesteros' Ryder Cup call

2010-09-29T21:10:00.001+01:00

Emotional stuff!

BBC News - Bowls veteran, 72, prepares for Delhi Games

2010-09-28T19:12:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

There are ongoing concerns over security and facilities in Delhi ahead of the Commonwealth Games, but that is no deterrent for the oldest member of Scotland's Commonwealth squad.

Bowls veteran Willie Wood, 72, is already in India preparing to make a record eighth appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

BBC Sport - Golf - Ryder Cup 2010: Players banned from tweeting

2010-09-27T16:21:00.001+01:00

The Europe and United States Ryder Cup teams have been banned from tweeting until after the end of the tournament.

Both US captain Corey Pavin and his counterpart Colin Montgomerie, who said tweeting could cause "trouble", confirmed their decision on Monday.

BBC News - Recession-hit Eastgate shopping plan back on track

2010-09-23T21:25:00.001+01:00

23 September 2010 Last updated at 20:42

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Recession-hit Eastgate shopping plan back on track

The development is expected to create thousands of jobs

A huge multi-million pound shopping development for the Eastgate area of Leeds is back on track after it was halted because of the recession.

The site, next to the Victorian Quarter, will feature 130 shops and is expected to create some 4,000 jobs.

Construction on Eastgate Quarters was due to start last year but borrowing and retail trade fears forced a delay.

People can view revised plans which are on display at Cross Arcade in the Victoria Quarter until Saturday.

Flagship stores Marks and Spencer and John Lewis have signed up to the development.

It will also include the restoration of the Grade II listed Templar House set around a new public square.

Andrew Hilston, project director for developers Hammerson, said: "The revised scheme that people are able to view is the result of over 12 months of hard work.

"This will help to ensure we have the best scheme for Leeds, enabling us to attract great retail brands alongside creating exceptional new civic space for the city."

via bbc.co.uk

Good News!

BBC Sport - Commonwealth Games: Athletes' village photos

2010-09-23T11:31:00.001+01:00

URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/commonwealth_games/delh...

Can see that the protesting athletes have a good point!

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BBC News - Pensioner 'lives' on River Thames island in Chiswick

2010-09-22T13:55:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

I don't envy him in the winter!

BBC Sport - Snooker - Ronnie O'Sullivan fires 147 maximum break at World Open

2010-09-20T16:02:00.001+01:00

Extraordinary maximum break:O'Sullivan has to be pursuaded to pot the black after he is told there is no special prize in this tournament!

Strauss outraged by fixing claim.

2010-09-20T15:47:00.001+01:00

This series goes from bad to worse!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

England captain Andrew Strauss has dismissed suggestions they deliberately lost last Friday's third one-day match against Pakistan in return for money.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt told Indian TV he had heard some bookmakers saying some England players were paid to lose the game at The Oval.

Strauss said: "We refute these allegations and will explore all legal options open to us."

"We are disappointed that our integrity has been brought into question."

Strauss admitted the England team had mixed feelings over whether to play Monday afternoon's fourth one-day game against the tourists at Lord's, but decided they had a responsibility to themselves and their supporters.
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Great news for Leeds Rhinos

2010-09-15T20:41:00.001+01:00

With McGuire out this is significant!

Amplify’d from news.bbc.co.uk

Buderus has only missed four games this season

Leeds hooker Danny Buderus is free to play in the Rhinos' play-off semi-final after a Rugby Football League Appeals Tribunal lifted his one-match ban.

The 32-year-old was suspended on Tuesday after being found guilty of a Grade A dangerous tackle on Wigan's Paul Prescott last Sunday.

But the suspension has been lifted after DVD evidence showed the challenge from a different camera angle.

Buderus, who has been fined £300, can now play in the 25 September tie.
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BBC News - Demolition for historic First White Cloth Hall in Leeds

2010-09-10T20:54:00.001+01:00

10 September 2010 Last updated at 19:45

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Demolition for historic First White Cloth Hall in Leeds

The cloth hall features on English Heritage's list of historical buildings which are at risk

Part of a historical Leeds property is being pulled down after problems were found in an adjoining building.

The Grade II-listed First White Cloth Hall in Kirkgate, which was built in 1711, is derelict and there are plans to rebuild it.

The city council said the neighbouring building was at risk of collapse and could pose a risk.

Materials gathered from the demolition will be stored and used to rebuild the cloth hall at a later date.

Kirkgate, one of the main routes through the city centre, has been closed for a week while the demolition - paid for by the neighbouring building's owner - takes place.
Closure 'unfortunate'
The council said: "This road closure will be in place for one week, allowing enough time for the building's frontage to be taken down, allowing machines to operate from the front of the building.

"Once the frontage has been taken down, the demolition and archaeological recording works will continue at the back of the building and the road can be re-opened."

Diversions have been put in place for motorists.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council's executive board member for development, said: "Kirkgate is obviously a busy city centre road and we do not take such decisions lightly.

"It's unfortunate that the closure has to take place, but it really is for the safety of the public and motorists."

The cloth hall features on English Heritage's "at risk" list of historical monuments needing urgent repairs.

It is to be rebuilt as part of a £1m makeover of Kirkgate, the oldest street in Leeds, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund cash.

via bbc.co.uk

Often had lunch a couple of doors higher in 1959!

BBC News - Roof lead theft leads to Leeds school flood

BBC News - Roof lead theft leads to Leeds school flood

2010-09-07T19:52:00.000+01:00

BBC News - Pension rallies hit French cities

2010-09-07T19:47:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

You have to admire the French-who the hell wants to work until they drop?

BBC Sport - Hockey - England hockey's solo wonder goal against Korea

2010-09-04T10:17:00.001+01:00

What a goal!

BBC News - High Commissioner: 'Pakistan cricketers have been set up'

2010-09-02T16:11:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Is it possible the News of the world rigged it?

BBC SPORT | Rugby League

2010-08-27T20:02:00.001+01:00

Looking forward to a GREAT match tomorrow;COME ON RHINOS!

Isabella-using Picasa Face Movie(Picasa 3.8)

2010-08-20T13:16:00.000+01:00

From

BBC News - Inside the University of Southampton's new supercomputer

2010-08-13T14:53:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Mind boggling stuff!

BBC News - Naomi Campbell tells Taylor trial of 'dirty stones'

2010-08-05T19:43:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Strange business,this!

BBC - Meerkats on show at Tropical World in Leeds

2010-08-04T11:18:00.001+01:00

First to be born here in ten years!Cute!

BBC News - London mayor Boris Johnson christens Olympic velodrome

2010-07-27T14:43:00.001+01:00

via bbc.co.uk

Looks like the GOLD medal is as good as ours!

Hoy to mark 2012 two-year countdown with velodrome ride

2010-07-26T20:48:00.001+01:00

Amazingly fit people,these cyclists!

clipped from news.bbc.co.uk

Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy will be the first to cycle in the 2012 velodrome on Tuesday, marking two years to the start of the Games in London.

Hoy, who won three track cycling gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, will be joined by other sporting stars at the event at London's Olympic Park.

American Michael Johnson, who won four Olympic titles, will be sprinting on a temporary track in the Olympic Stadium.

And Britain's John Amaechi will be shooting hoops in the basketball arena.

Dispersal order granted in Leeds city centre

2010-07-24T12:41:00.001+01:00

Will this help?

clipped from www.bbc.co.uk

Police have secured a dispersal order to deal with anti-social behaviour and disorder in the centre of Leeds.

The order, which came into force on Saturday and runs for six months, allows police to order people out of the city centre for up to 24 hours.

If they ignore the order they face a fine of up to £5,000 or a prison term.

People under the age of 16 are also not allowed to be within the area between 2100 and 0600 BST unless they are with a parent or responsible adult.

Insp Grant Stead, of West Yorkshire Police, said anti-social behaviour was not a "major problem" in the city centre.

He said: "However, a dispersal order gives us a really effective tool which we can use at our discretion to ensure that the very small minority who involve themselves in behaviour which spoils everyone else's enjoyment of the city centre can be ordered to leave, and receive a strong punishment if they ignore the order."

BBC News - BBC News iPhone and iPad app launches in the UK

2010-07-23T15:50:00.001+01:00

23 July 2010 Last updated at 11:57

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BBC News iPhone and iPad app launches in the UK

Versions of the apps are already available worldwide

A BBC News app for the iPhone and iPad has been launched in the UK, the BBC has announced.

The free-to-download apps for Apple products were originally due to be made available in April 2010.

The UK launch was delayed while the BBC Trust, the corporation's governing body, assessed the proposals and their impact on the rest of the industry.

Apps for other devices such as Android phones will launch later in the year.

Related stories

BBC iPhone applications postponed

Call 'to block' BBC iPhone apps

Similar apps for BBC Sport and iPlayer will also be coming soon.

The apps do not "represent a significant change to the BBC's existing public services," ruled the BBC Trust, meaning that further scrutiny was not required.

BBC Trustee Diane Coyle said that the body would continue to monitor the launch.

Many news organisations already offer apps that give people a quick and easy way to keep up with events.

Earlier in 2010, the Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA) said it feared the corporation would "damage the nascent market" for apps by entering the market with a free product.

"The concern the newspaper industry has is that the survival of our big independent news organisations largely depends on them being able to make money from new platforms other than print," said Dominic Ponsford, editor of Press Gazette.

"Mobile is a massive part of that and there is concern that the BBC could blow their fledgling apps out of the water by being such a dominant brand."

However the apps market was a space that the BBC could not ignore either, he added.

"The other side of it is that the BBC is also doomed unless it can embrace new readers on new platforms."

via bbc.co.uk

The Beeb surges ahead!

Coronation Street cat's ashes smash auction target

2010-07-22T20:48:00.001+01:00

Sad,sad,sad!

clipped from www.bbc.co.uk

The lot included postcards of Frisky with Coronation Street stars

The ashes of the Coronation Street cat, Frisky, who died ten years ago, have been sold at auction for almost six times the expected price.

Furious bidding by soap fans meant the wooden casket carrying the cat's remains fetched £844 at an auction in Gloucestershire.

The tabby cat starred in the starting sequence of more than 1,000 episodes of the Manchester soap.

The ashes had been predicted to fetch no more than £150.

The lot, which was sold to a private bidder, also included a cremation certificate and postcards of Frisky with other Weatherfield stars.

His owner, John Rimington, from Leeds, said before the auction he hoped the ashes would go to an "avid Corrie fan".

BBC Sport - Rugby League - Five Super League players charged by RFL

2010-07-19T20:38:00.001+01:00

Five Super League players have been summoned to a Rugby Football League disciplinary committee following incidents in last weekend's games.
Hull KR duo Ben Cockayne and Liam Watts and Hull FC's Danny Tickle and Sam Moa have been charged for fighting during Rovers' 20-16 defeat on Thursday.
Wigan's Joel Tomkins has been charged for late contact on Warrington's Richie Myler during Friday's match.
All five will appear in front of the committee on Tuesday.
Hull FC full-back Jordan Tansey and Hull KR second row Jason Netherton were cautioned for running into the fight and pushing opponents.
Moa also received a caution for a high tackle on Michael Dobson in the 31st minute of Warrington's 23-16 victory.

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Mmm...is this stuff getting worse?