Great Britain

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Safety Issues Kill Fabled UK Cheese Roll

Too many spectators for centuries-old event: authorities

(Newser) - A centuries-old tradition of rolling 7-pound wheels of cheese down a steep hill in the British town of Brockworth has fallen victim to modern concerns over safety, with authorities canceling this year’s event, scheduled for May 31, over fear of injury to competitors and spectators. Last year’s event...

Brits Bellowing About 8K-Cow 'Factory'

Enterprise promises 'environmental disaster,' say foes

(Newser) - A monstrous 8,000-cow dairy operation in Britain has critics bellowing even before it opens. The "cow factory" enterprise, expected to be the largest in the world, will emit carbon emissions equal to 3,000 homes, say foes. The operation will combine herds from several regions and owners into...

Bomb-Sniffing Dog Given UK's Highest Military Honor

Treo awarded Dickin Medal for twice locating IEDs in Afghanistan

(Newser) - A British military bomb-sniffing dog joined venerable company today when he was awarded the highest honor a war animal can receive for twice detecting IEDs in Afghanistan. The Dickin Medal was established in 1943 by the founder of an animal health organization. Treo’s handler tells the BBC that the...

Gordon Brown Talks Death of Child, Tony Blair

Death of daughter was 'most grief-stricken time' of British PM's life

(Newser) - In an unguarded interview, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown talks frankly about the death of his newborn daughter, his wife's strength, and the deal he made with Tony Blair over Labour Party leadership. “Nobody actually really told us for a week, it just gradually dawned on us that something...

UK Toasts Safer Beer Glass
 UK Toasts Safer Beer Glass 
Feb 5, 2010 8:05 AM CST

UK Toasts Safer Beer Glass

Shatter-proof pint glass aims to cut binge-drink violence

(Newser) - The inventors of a new beer glass say they've found a way to cut the number of violent assaults by UK drinkers who've lifted too many pints—and used a broken one as a weapon. Taking their lead from shatterproof windshields, a team of designers added a resin coating to...

Blair Tells Iraq Inquiry He'd Do It Again

At the time, existence of WMDs in Iraq was 'beyond doubt'

(Newser) - Tony Blair mounted a spirited defense of Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war today, telling the Chilcot inquiry he would make the same choices now, based on the information he had then. “The crucial thing after Sept. 11 is that the calculus of risk changed,” the former...

Susan Boyle 'Shocked' by Home Invader

Scottish singer unharmed; police nab man for questioning

(Newser) - Singer Susan Boyle is “unharmed” but still “shocked” after a late-night run-in with a mysterious man who had infiltrated her home. The Scottish chanteuse and reality star was coming home around 10pm after recording a Haiti charity single. “Susan returned home with a friend and found an...

Crocs Know Their Names, Open Up on Call

Brit aquarium has reptiles answering to Paleo, Suchus

(Newser) - Two crocodiles at a British aquarium have been taught to recognize their own names, a feat that works with mammals in captivity but rarely with reptiles. “They are very intelligent and started responding to their names in just a few days,” the zoo’s manager tells the Telegraph...

UK Boosts Terror Alert Level
 UK Boosts Terror Alert Level 
Jan 22, 2010 5:56 PM CST

UK Boosts Terror Alert Level

Second-highest designation means attack 'highly likely'

(Newser) - The British government raised its terror threat level to the second-highest designation today, signifying that an attack is "highly likely"—but officials swiftly added that terrorist aggression is not considered imminent. The upgrade from "substantial" means Brits must be "more aware," the Home Secretary said....

Top 10 Places You Can't Go
 Top 10 Places You Can't Go 
FROM AREA 51 TO DISNEYLAND
Jan 11, 2010 1:53 PM CST

Top 10 Places You Can't Go

The world's most significant secret places revealed

(Newser) - Want to visit Area 51? Too bad: The mecca for conspiracy theorists isn't open to visitors. Listverse runs down the 10 most significant places around the world that are nearly impossible for the general public to visit:
  • Mezhgorye: This Russian town is believed to house people working on Mount Yamantaw—
...

Brits Battered by Biggest Snowfall in 50 Years

Frozen nation buried

(Newser) - The British government has issued a flash emergency weather warning for all counties as what's expected to be the biggest snowfall in 50 years is burying the nation. Forecasters are predicting nearly 20 inches of snow in under 24 hours in areas already socked by record chills and blizzards. Drivers...

Brit Body Scans Risk Breaking Kid Porn Laws

Officials debating how to protect children

(Newser) - British officials must exempt children from full-body security scans at airports or risk running afoul of the nation's child pornography laws. The British Department for Transport confirmed that the "child porn" problem is among the "legal and operational issues" being discussed as Britain prepares to use the controversial...

Pub Revelers Snowed In for 2 Days

'It was fun,' says tipsy student

(Newser) - A group of 47 revelers and storm refugees were finally rescued yesterday after spending two days snowed in at the highest elevation pub in England. Workers plowed through to some 30 students and teachers from nearby Leeds University and 17 stranded motorists holed up in Tan Hill on the Yorkshire-Durham...

Stories 301 - 313 | << Prev