MPs warn over nuclear space bombs and solar flares
MPs warn over nuclear space bombs and solar flares
The government must take more seriously the threat of a nuclear weapon being exploded in space by a rogue state, MPs have warned.
The Defence Select Committee said the resulting radiation pulse could disrupt power and water supplies, UK defence and satellite navigation systems.
Its chairman, Tory MP James Arbuthnot, said an attack was "quite likely".
The committee is urging ministers to invest in more "hardened" technology to cope with such an event.
It looked at the threat to the UK's technological infrastructure from "electro-magnetic pulse" (EMP) events in space, which could also include the eruption of solar flares.
'Quite likely'
The committee found the government was "somewhat complacent" about the risks to technology, such as the destruction of computer chips, which could put defence systems out of action.
The government must take more seriously the threat of a nuclear weapon being exploded in space by a rogue state, MPs have warned.
The Defence Select Committee said the resulting radiation pulse could disrupt power and water supplies, UK defence and satellite navigation systems.
Its chairman, Tory MP James Arbuthnot, said an attack was "quite likely".
The committee is urging ministers to invest in more "hardened" technology to cope with such an event.
It looked at the threat to the UK's technological infrastructure from "electro-magnetic pulse" (EMP) events in space, which could also include the eruption of solar flares.
'Quite likely'
The committee found the government was "somewhat complacent" about the risks to technology, such as the destruction of computer chips, which could put defence systems out of action.
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Buildings set ablaze as Greek MPs debate austerity plan
Buildings set ablaze as Greek MPs debate austerity plan
Protests have spread in central Athens, amid anger over austerity measures being debated by parliament.Protesters threw stones and petrol bombs, and police fired tear gas. A number of people were injured and at least 10 buildings were set on fire.
MPs are discussing a bill to introduce the measures, which are being demanded in return for a 130bn-euro ($170bn; £110bn) bailout to avoid default.
PM Lucas Papademos warned that failure to pass it would be "disastrous".
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says the violent protests, which have been common in recent months, are surprisingly large.
Protests have spread in central Athens, amid anger over austerity measures being debated by parliament.Protesters threw stones and petrol bombs, and police fired tear gas. A number of people were injured and at least 10 buildings were set on fire.
MPs are discussing a bill to introduce the measures, which are being demanded in return for a 130bn-euro ($170bn; £110bn) bailout to avoid default.PM Lucas Papademos warned that failure to pass it would be "disastrous".
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says the violent protests, which have been common in recent months, are surprisingly large.
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Iran says sanctions to fail, repeats Hormuz threat
Iran politicians say EU ban won't hurt, may be reversed
* Say Iran has plenty of time to find export options
* Tehran summons EU ambassador over "illogical decision"
TEHRAN, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Iranian politicians said on Tuesday they expected the European Union to backtrack on its oil embargo and repeated a threat to close the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane if the West succeeds in preventing Tehran from exporting crude.
The West's ineffective sanctions against the Islamic state are not a threat to us. They are opportunities and have already brought lots of benefits to the country," Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi told the official IRNA news agency.
Speaking a day after the EU slapped a ban on Iranian oil - to take full effect within six months - in a move to press Tehran into curbing its contested nuclear programme and engage in negotiations with six world powers, the tone in the Islamic Republic was defiant, even sceptical.
"The global economic situation is not one in which a country can be destroyed by imposing sanctions," Moslehi said, repeating Iran's stance that with the EU in economic and monetary crisis, it needs Iran's oil more than Iran needs its business.
* Say Iran has plenty of time to find export options
* Tehran summons EU ambassador over "illogical decision"
TEHRAN, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Iranian politicians said on Tuesday they expected the European Union to backtrack on its oil embargo and repeated a threat to close the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane if the West succeeds in preventing Tehran from exporting crude.
Speaking a day after the EU slapped a ban on Iranian oil - to take full effect within six months - in a move to press Tehran into curbing its contested nuclear programme and engage in negotiations with six world powers, the tone in the Islamic Republic was defiant, even sceptical.
"The global economic situation is not one in which a country can be destroyed by imposing sanctions," Moslehi said, repeating Iran's stance that with the EU in economic and monetary crisis, it needs Iran's oil more than Iran needs its business.
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UK national debt and government borrowing: what City economists think
Three experts offer their analysis of what the latest debt and borrowing figures signify.
Britain's national debt has breached £1tn for the first time, official figures showed on Tuesday. At the same time, government borrowing fell in December. Here is what City economists made of the numbers.
Upward revisions to prior months offset a lower-than-expected borrowing requirement for December. But borrowing overall is on track to meet the OBR's latest 2011/12 projection for a deficit of 8.4% of GDP (£127bn), with risks of a better outturn
More broadly, the details of the monthly data continue to show relatively weak central government revenues (although less so recently) being offset by lower-than-expected current spending. At the autumn statement, the chancellor announced an increase in the levy on banks (to 0.088%) effective from January 2012 in order to address the shortfall in revenues arising from weak growth.
Britain's national debt has breached £1tn for the first time, official figures showed on Tuesday. At the same time, government borrowing fell in December. Here is what City economists made of the numbers.
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| UK national debt and government borrowing what City economists think |
Upward revisions to prior months offset a lower-than-expected borrowing requirement for December. But borrowing overall is on track to meet the OBR's latest 2011/12 projection for a deficit of 8.4% of GDP (£127bn), with risks of a better outturn
More broadly, the details of the monthly data continue to show relatively weak central government revenues (although less so recently) being offset by lower-than-expected current spending. At the autumn statement, the chancellor announced an increase in the levy on banks (to 0.088%) effective from January 2012 in order to address the shortfall in revenues arising from weak growth.
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Egypt's new parliament holds inaugural session
Egypt's 498 elected lawmakers are sworn in. The first post-Mubarak parliament is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and other religious groups.
Reporting from Cairo— Men in pressed suits and polished shoes, some carrying holy books and sporting beards, rushed past concrete barricades and hurried beneath a silver dome to begin setting laws for a nation that for generations had oppressed and imprisoned many of those now rising to power.
Egypt's new parliament held its inaugural session Monday, and a sense of wonder was mixed with the gravity of a country still under military rule and beset by economic turmoil. Dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, once banned from running for office, the chamber echoed with the raucous voices of a burgeoning political era that is replacing the specter of Hosni Mubarak's corrupt secular government.
Reporting from Cairo— Men in pressed suits and polished shoes, some carrying holy books and sporting beards, rushed past concrete barricades and hurried beneath a silver dome to begin setting laws for a nation that for generations had oppressed and imprisoned many of those now rising to power.
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EGYPT'S 498 ELECTED LAWMAKERS ARE SWORN IN. THE FIRST POST-MUBARAK PARLIAMENT IS DOMINATED BY THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUPS. |
Egypt's new parliament held its inaugural session Monday, and a sense of wonder was mixed with the gravity of a country still under military rule and beset by economic turmoil. Dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood, once banned from running for office, the chamber echoed with the raucous voices of a burgeoning political era that is replacing the specter of Hosni Mubarak's corrupt secular government.
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MPs say no repairs will be done on Big Ben before 2020
Renovation work on the Palace of Westminster will not begin until at least 2020, an MPs' committee has said.
The decision came after surveyors found that Parliament's Clock Tower - better known as Big Ben - was leaning.
The House of Commons Commission said officials would conduct an investigation into how repairs could be carried out, but no decisions would be taken until the next Parliament.
But it stressed that the Palace remained "structurally sound".
The Clock Tower, housing the bell which is called Big Ben, was completed in 1859.
Since then a five-storey car park and the Jubilee underground line have been constructed.
The decision came after surveyors found that Parliament's Clock Tower - better known as Big Ben - was leaning.
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| MPs say no repairs will be done on Big Ben before 2020 |
The House of Commons Commission said officials would conduct an investigation into how repairs could be carried out, but no decisions would be taken until the next Parliament.
But it stressed that the Palace remained "structurally sound".
The Clock Tower, housing the bell which is called Big Ben, was completed in 1859.
Since then a five-storey car park and the Jubilee underground line have been constructed.
Read more »
West strikes first at Iran's economy as EU imposes oil sanctions and warships gather
Combined show of strength aimed at bringing Tehran back to the negotiating table over nuclear concerns.
Sanctions designed to bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme by choking off its economic lifeblood – oil – were imposed by the European Union yesterday alongside a Western display of naval power as a warning to the Tehran regime against seeking military retaliation.
The punitive measures were, as expected, aimed at severely damaging the country's oil exports, with a ban on import by EU countries. Restrictions would also be brought against key financial institutions, including Iran's central bank, in a move to tighten further the commercial noose.
The EU's announcement, described by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as " the heaviest economic onslaught on a nation in history", came within hours of an American, British and French flotilla sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for oil shipments that Tehran had threatened to blockade if the sanctions were imposed.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, escorted by an American guided-missile cruiser and two destroyers, HMS Albion and a French warship, La Motte-Picquet, passed a few miles off the Iranian coast to emphasise that the strait remains an international waterway and attempts to shut it down will not be tolerated, Western officials said.
Sanctions designed to bring Iran to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme by choking off its economic lifeblood – oil – were imposed by the European Union yesterday alongside a Western display of naval power as a warning to the Tehran regime against seeking military retaliation.
 |
| West strikes first at Iran's economy as EU imposes oil sanctions and warships gather |
The punitive measures were, as expected, aimed at severely damaging the country's oil exports, with a ban on import by EU countries. Restrictions would also be brought against key financial institutions, including Iran's central bank, in a move to tighten further the commercial noose.
The EU's announcement, described by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as " the heaviest economic onslaught on a nation in history", came within hours of an American, British and French flotilla sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for oil shipments that Tehran had threatened to blockade if the sanctions were imposed.
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, escorted by an American guided-missile cruiser and two destroyers, HMS Albion and a French warship, La Motte-Picquet, passed a few miles off the Iranian coast to emphasise that the strait remains an international waterway and attempts to shut it down will not be tolerated, Western officials said.
Read more »Obama sings a tune, steals the online show
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama stole the online show on Friday after singing a tune during a campaign fundraiser at New York City's famed Apollo Theater.
After Rev. Al Green warmed up the audience for Obama on Thursday night, the president surprised the audience -- and his staff -- by crooning the opening bars of Green's soul classic "Let's stay together."
After Rev. Al Green warmed up the audience for Obama on Thursday night, the president surprised the audience -- and his staff -- by crooning the opening bars of Green's soul classic "Let's stay together."
Brian Shivers guilty of double soldier killing in Antrim as co-accusedBrian Shivers guilty of double soldier killing in Antrim as co-accused cleared.
Brian Shivers, 46, has been found guilty of shooting dead two British soldiers at Massereene Barracks in Antrim two years ago, but his co-accused Colin Duffy, 44, was found not guilty after the judge dismissed DNA evidence against him.
However, Shivers, from Magherafelt, was found to have been involved in the attack, which saw several people wounded - as well as causing the two deaths.
He was linked to the killings via a Vauxhall Cavalier car that was found burned out near to the murder scene, said to have been used in the act.
Shivers was found guilty of six counts of attempted murder and one of possession of two firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Costa Concordia: investigators probe role of young Moldovan woman on cruise ship
Italian investigators are probing the mystery of a young Moldovan woman who was reportedly on the bridge of the Costa Concordia cruise ship when it smashed into rocks off the coast of Giglio island, forcing the evacuation of its 4,200 passengers and crew.
The 25-year-old blonde, identified as Domnica Cemortan, was invited onto the bridge as the cruise liner sailed perilously close to Giglio, in what was apparently a ‘salute’ to an old friend of the captain’s and a favour to the ship’s head waiter, whose family were from the island.
She was reportedly the guest of one of the ship’s officers and may be the woman that passengers saw drinking and chatting with Capt Francesco Schettino on Friday evening, a few hours before the Costa Concordia ran aground.
Cameron warns Argentina over Falklands
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As the Argentine government adopts what Britain regards as increasingly aggressive rhetoric over Britain’s ownership of the islands, Mr Cameron declared that the UK firmly supported the self-determination of the Falklands’ 3,000 people.
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Leveson Inquiry: Phone hacking 'possibly' behind Sven-Ulrika scoop
A hacked voicemail could have been the source of a scoop revealing Sven-Goran Eriksson's affair with Ulrika Jonsson, the Daily Mirror's editor has said.
Richard Wallace told a media ethics inquiry that phone hacking "might well have been" taking place when he was showbiz editor under Piers Morgan.Mr Wallace told the Leveson Inquiry he had no knowledge of hacking but said it might have been hidden from him.
Publisher Trinity Mirror has insisted its journalists work within the law.
Mr Morgan has previously told the inquiry he was "not aware" of phone hacking taking place when he was in charge.
Birmingham double murder: man arrested over couple's death
A 24-year-old man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of a couple found dead in their home.
The bodies of Avtar Kolar, 62, and his wife Carole, 58, were discovered at their home in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, by their policeman son on Wednesday morning.Jason Kolar, a serving officer with West Midlands Police, had visited the address to check on them after family members were unable to make contact.
Post-mortem tests confirmed the couple died as a result of "blunt force trauma" to the head and that both had been struck a number of times.
German Five-, 30-Year Yields Drop to Records on Europe Crisis
German Five-, 30-Year Yields Drop to Records on Europe CrisisJan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- German bonds gained this week, with five-year and 30-year yields falling to records, as government officials said Standard & Poor’s may lower the credit ratings of some euro-area nations, spurring demand for the safest assets.
Italian 10-year bonds rose for the first week in a month as the nation’s borrowing costs fell at debt sales. S&P cut the ratings of France and Austria in a string of downgrades after the close of trading yesterday that left Germany with the euro area’s only stable AAA grade. France’s 10-year debt rose this week even after a European government official said the nation was set to lose its top AAA rating in the S&P review. Finnish and Dutch 10-year yields also fell to records.The government says it will press ahead with changes to the welfare system, despite defeats in the Lords.
Labour and independent peers, and some Lib Dems, voted down restrictions on benefits for cancer patients and young disabled people.
Employment minister Chris Grayling said the welfare state would support those in "genuine need" but "tough decisions" had to be taken to tackle the deficit.
Labour said ministers had crossed "the basic line of British decency".
