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BBC News | UK | World Edition

UK Iraq hostage 'killed himself'
Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:49:13 -0000
One of the five UK hostages held captive in Iraq has killed himself, a video given to a newspaper claims.
Surgeons could earn pay bonuses
Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:28:27 -0000
Surgeons could earn bonuses for operations under plans being considered by the UK's largest hospital trust.
UK 'must check' US torture denial
Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:01:29 -0000
The British government should no longer rely on US assurances it does not use torture, a parliamentary report says.
Teenager falls 30ft from window
Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:00:22 -0000
A schoolgirl from south London was seriously hurt when she fell 30ft from her hotel window in Venice, according to reports.
Lambeth Conference due to begin
Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:37:41 -0000
Hundreds of Anglican bishops will attend a special service for the official opening of the Lambeth Conference.
Autism parents 'infection risk'
Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:29:32 -0000
Caring for children with problems such as autism or Down's syndrome may weaken parents' immune systems.

The Economist: Britain

Things can only get worse
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29:20 -0000
As the economic pain intensifies there will be a political price to payFIVE years ago Mervyn King, the newly appointed governor of the Bank of England, gave warning that the "nice" decade would be followed by something less wholesome. Now starting his second term of office this month, Britain's leading central banker looks more prescient than ever. But even he surely did not expect that the "non-inflationary consistently expansionary" era would turn quite this sour.As the film "Mamma Mia!" evokes nostalgia for the 1970s, more ominous echoes of that stagflationary decade are ringing louder and louder. The economy looks set to slip into a recession as the housing market slides and the banking trauma refuses to end. Yet at the same time inflation is rising inexorably higher. This toxic combination has been described as "stagflation-lite"; the "lite" seems ever less appropriate. ...
The high price of free accounts
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29:20 -0000
The competition watchdog's challenge may be more bark than biteAMID the gloom of a faltering economy and a slumping housing market, Britain's banks, with their supervisors in hot pursuit, have been stumbling from one crisis to another. Having written off billions of pounds on the value of exotic credit products, and then tapped shareholders for billions more to rebuild strained balance sheets, banks have been bracing themselves for the next shoe to drop. Most expected it to come in the form of writedowns on bad loans in their traditional banking business. Some analysts reckon these may total as much as GBP19 billion, if defaults rise to levels last seen in the previous downturn in the early 1990s. Yet trouble, as so often happens, has come from an unexpected direction. ...
No IVF please, we?re British
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29:20 -0000
Test-tube babies are rare in the country where the first was born"BABY of the century" ran the front-page headline of the Daily Express on July 11th, 1978. The paper promised the story of Lesley Brown, who was barricaded inside Oldham and District General Hospital, near Manchester, waiting to give birth. The world's press was camped outside; the front doors locked and staff forced to sneak in and out via a side entrance. Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, the obstetrician and physiologist who had, nine months before, taken an egg from one of Mrs Brown's ovaries under anaesthetic and fertilised it in vitro with her husband's sperm, were in hiding. It had been, said Time magazine after Mrs Brown was delivered of a daughter on July 25th, "the most awaited birth in perhaps 2,000 years".Thirty years after Louise Brown was born, "test-tube babies" are commonplace. Around the world 3.5m have been born and at least 200,000 more join them each year. Yet infertile people in the country where it all began are among the least likely in the rich world to receive what is now a standard treatment for their condition. Just under 700 attempts at in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are carried out per million Britons each year, one of the lowest rates in Europe. The 11,262 IVF babies born in Britain in 2005, the latest year for which figures are available, were just 1.6% of all births, compared with rates of 3-3.5% in the Nordic countries (see chart). ...
More haste, less speed
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29:20 -0000
Worries about the new planning system could well turn into protestsAN INSIGHT often credited to Gordon Brown is that voters only notice a political message when it is reduced to a pithy soundbite and repeated endlessly. "Working hard for hard-working families" was a familiar trope during his decade as chancellor of the exchequer, as was the promise of "no return to boom and bust". Nowadays the prime minister is most likely to be heard asserting his willingness, and the Conservative Party's reluctance, to make "tough, long term decisions".In few policy areas does this self-professed capacity to do what is unpopular but necessary seem more apt than in planning, always a fraught issue in a crowded island with a reverence for the countryside. On July 16th, the House of Lords completed its second reading of a controversial government bill designed to speed up approval for infrastructure projects, such as power stations and motorways. Currently, local councils consider most planning applications, and ministers "call in" particularly contentious ones. A prolonged public inquiry often results. The new system will shift decision-making power to an independent Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), relegating the government's role to setting out its vision for different types of infrastructure in a series of national policy statements. ...
Great expectations, no hope
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29:20 -0000
A hotly anticipated by-election that may well change nothingTHE east ends of Britain's big cities have a special, mythical place in the national imagination. They are urban frontiers: gritty, sometimes lawless and eventful. History--trade unionism; radicalism; the temperance movement; industrial revolution; immigrant strife and striving--is packed into them as tightly as their inhabitants are, or, in the case of Glasgow, were. In Glasgow's ruined east end, whole roads are vacant and vandalised; grotty pubs and discount stores dominate the grey high streets.The Westminster by-election on July 24th in Glasgow East--one of the most deprived constituencies in Britain, and hitherto one of Labour's safest seats--has been widely billed as another catalytic east-end drama: a pivotal episode in the rise of Scottish nationalism, a prime minister's fall and the confrontation of entrenched social ills. It is likely to disappoint on all three fronts. ...
Summer of discontent
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:29:20 -0000
A new wave of strikes stirs memories of the 1970sFOR the schoolchildren, it was as if the summer holidays had come a few days early. For their parents, though, the strike by school-support staff--dinner ladies, teaching assistants and the like--as well as hundreds of thousands of other local-government workers on July 16th and 17th was less cause for celebration. Besides having to find babysitters or take the day off work, they also had to deal with unemptied bins and closed (or undermanned) town halls. For Labour ministers, it was a worrying portent of further confrontation with the unions that fund the party.Council workers are unhappy with the 2.45% pay rise offered to them by town halls, arguing that, with retail-price inflation at 4.6%, the deal represents a wage cut in real terms. Both sides are appealing to public opinion. The trade unions say that many of the workers in question are poorly paid and often work part-time. The councils retort that any increases above 2.45% would require either higher taxes or cuts in public services. ...

 

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Friends of the Earth - Campaigns on biodiverstiy, climate change, gm food, pollution, transport and waste. Includes details of local pollution sources in your neighbourhood.
Meta Description: [ Friends of the Earth is an international environmental charity campaigning on climate change and promoting solutions to environmental problems ]

Action Earth - A campaign encouraging people to get involved in local environmental projects throughout Great Britain.

Association for Environment Conscious Building - Promotes environmentally responsible practices within building. Includes forum and details of their magazine.

Bucks Residents Against the INcinerator - Group resisting the development of a large industrial incinerator at Newton Longville/Milton Keynes. News, membership, contacts.
Meta Description: [ BRAIN - Bucks Residents Against the INcinerator - action group to resist the building of an industrial incinerator in Milton Keynes ]

Centre For Alternative Technology - European eco-centre. Includes a green catalog, with books and products orderable online.
Meta Description: [ CAT aims to 'inspire, inform, and enable' people to live more sustainably. A solutions driven organisation, offering practical solutions to environmental problems, our key areas of work are renewable energy, environmental building, energy efficiency, organic growing and alternative sewage systems... ]

Centre for Environmental Strategy - A multi-disciplinary research centre at Surrey University, UK. Research, publications, other resources.

Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment - CSERGE is an interdisciplinary research centre based at the University of East Anglia. Publications, staff list, partners and other resources.

CHAIN - Cheshire Anti Incinerators Network - Voluntary organisation opposed to incinerators being built in Cheshire. News, resources, strategies.
Meta Description: [ CHAIN - Cheshire Anti Incinerator Network are a voluntary organisation mobilised to STOP Cheshire County Council building incinerators in Cheshire., CHAIN - Cheshire Anti Incinerator Network are a voluntary organisation mobilised to STOP Cheshire County Council building incinerators in Cheshire. ]

CleanUp - Government backed initiative encouraging the fitting of emission reduction equipment to high pollution diesel vehicles, especially haulage.
Meta Description: [ Access information and advice about cleaner vehicles, fleets & travel plans or find a grant or event ]

Common Ground - Supporting local diversity across the UK. Provides details of work linking arts and environmental fields.

Community Recycling Network - Non-profit-making industrial and provident society formed to promote community recycling schemes. Provides advice and event listings, a newsletter, member links and a bulletin board.
Meta Description: [ CRN, promoting community waste management in the UK ]

Computer Aid - Recycles unwanted computers from Britain for use in schools and community organisations in developing countries. Based in Finsbury Park, North London.

Computers for Charity - A voluntary, non-profitmaking organisation that recycles and resells PCs. Has centres across the UK.
Meta Description: [ Computers for Charity collects from industry, refurbishes in an environmentally friendly manner and provides IT equipment to the UK and the developing world. ]

Do a little, change a lot. - Guide to helping protect Scotland's and the World's environment.

DOVE - Defenders of the Ouse Valley and Estuary - Campaign group opposing the proposed incinerator in Newhaven, East Sussex. News stories, waste strategies, contact form, membership application.
Meta Description: [ DOVE is a campaign group opposing the proposed incinerator in Newhaven, East Sussex. ]

Electric Vehicles UK - Campaigning for improved facilities and cheaper electric cars in Britain. Features news and campaign information.
Meta Description: [ EVUK, UK Campaign for real, long-range electric vehicles / electric cars, clean cars, clean air, clean(er) power, clean(er) politics, featuring cars driven by Hollywood celebrities, interviews with EV experts,latest electric vehicle news and comments ]

Envocare - Comprehensive informational site with details on a variety of environmental issues and their status in the UK.
Meta Description: [ Information on the Environment, Ecology, Recycling, Ethical Investment, Alternative Energy, environmental education, News, Backgrounds and Virtual Cards ]

EU Energy.Com - In depth reports on the liberalisation of the energy sector across Europe.

Gaia Watch of the UK - Human population growth and international migration. Consequences for the UK.
Meta Description: [ Effects of human population growth and migration, both immigration and emigration, on the environment and social cohesion ]

GAIN - Campaign Against Surrey Incinerators - News, gallery and press releases for Guildford Anti-Incinerator Network (GAIN) campaigning against incinerators in Guildford, Surrey.

Global Commons Institute - An independent organisation campaigning on climate change. Promotes a Contraction and Convergence solution. Includes a global warming model(Excel spreadsheet or Java applet) recent papers and book reviews as well as contact information.
Meta Description: [ The Global Commons Institute campaigns on Climate Change, focusing mainly on campaigning for Contraction and Convergence. ]

Green belt land news - News about green belt land for sale in UK.
Meta Description: [ News about green belt land for sale in UK, green belt, land agents and property investment ]

Greenpeace UK - UK branch of international environmental activist network.
Meta Description: [ Greenpeace is an independent, campaigning organisation which uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems. ]

Greenspace Scotland - Provides information and resources on greenspace within and around urban settlements in Scotland.
Meta Description: [ Greenspace jobs available throughout the network ]

Groundwork - Environmental regeneration charity. Partnership with local people, local authorities and business to promote economic and social regeneration by improvements to the local environment.

Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling - An association of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) suppliers promoting environmentally sound policies within the industry.

Living Streets - A campaign of the Pedestrians' Association. Aiming to make every village, town and city more pedestrian friendly. Manifesto, contacts, and livability survey.

Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership - Action and advisory group promoting the shift to clean low carbon vehicles and fuels.
Meta Description: [ The LowCVP is a partnership of the automotive and fuel industries, Government, academia, NGOs and other stakeholders to promote the shift to clean low carbon vehicles and fuels in the UK. ]

National Flood Forum - Aims to stimulate and assist in the creation of community groups in areas at risk of flooding.

500 National Urban Forestry Unit - Charitable organisation which works to raise awareness of the positive contribution that trees make to the quality of life in towns.
Meta Description: [ The UK's National Urban Forestry Unit is a charitable organisation which works to raise awareness of the positive contribution that trees make to the quality of life in towns ]

Noise Abatement Society - NAS promotes ways to combat antisocial noise. The Society's annual John Connell Awards recognize local iniatives to address noise complaints.

PowerShift - Energy Saving Trust programme supporting clean fuel vehicles. Includes explanation, buyers guide on alternative fuels and information on grants.
Meta Description: [ Access information and advice about cleaner vehicles, fleets & travel plans or find a grant or event ]

Printer Cartridge Recycling Scheme - Organisation that accepts printer cartridges and old mobile phones for recycling and donates the proceeds to children's charities.
Meta Description: [ The printer cartridge recycling (PCR) scheme ]

Recycle Now - Advice and ideas on recycling. Aims to promote recycling through campaigns.
Meta Description: [ Recyclenow national recycling campaign website homepage ]

Revolt - Rural England Versus Overhead Line Transmission. The organisation presses for a co-ordinated UK energy distribution policy.
Meta Description: [ To oppose unnecessary, excessive and intrusive powerline development; To press for a co-ordinated UK energy policy; To monitor developments related to powerlines and to liaise with similar organisations; To promote a precautionary policy on public health matters relating to powerlines; To promote... ]

Soil Association - Campaigning and certification body for organic food and farming. Develops and provides practical and sustainable solutions which combine food production and environmental protection and human health.
Meta Description: [ Organic food, organic farming: Soil Association is campaigning for organic food, organic farming and sustainable forestry. ]

Spud - Information on harnessing power from nature, and setting up renewable energy systems.

Surfers Against Sewage - Campaign group with a mission to rid the coastline of sewage.
Meta Description: [ Surfers Against Sewage are an environmental campaign group with a mission to rid the UK coastline of sewage. Still keeping their roots in the UK and using the knowledge and experience they have gained through the last 10 years. ]

Trailblazers: Rights of Way - The National Federation of Bridleway Associations and the South Pennine Pack Horse Trails Trust are organizations that promote equestrian access, protect rights of way and ancient lanes, campaign for access to open country, and maintains a list of open and closed bridleways and Current Issues regarding access in the UK.

UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development - Independent charitable foundation focusing on sustainable business, marine environment, information and communication technologies.

Waste Watch - Information, publications and advice on waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

Wildlife and Countryside Link - Brings together environmental voluntary organisations, aiming to maximise efficiency and effectiveness through collaboration. Includes position statements and documents in PDF format, links to work areas, and campaign information.

World Wildlife Federation (WWF): UK - Campaigns on a wide range of environmental issues including opposition to new road building.
Meta Description: [ WWF conserves endangered species, protects threatened habitats and addresses global threats. We find long-term solutions that benefit both people and nature. ]