The United Kingdom’s defence ministry on Monday defended a decision to pay for an ex-servicewoman to train to be an erotic "pole dancer", arguing it has a duty to help former troops return to civilian life. Stephanie Hulme received £2 290 (about R26 600) to train as a pole dancer, newspaper reports said.
The most expensive soup in Britain is the star dish on the menu of an upmarket Chinese restaurant in London — at a mere £108 (R1 150) a bowl. Called "Buddha Jumps over the Wall", the shark’s-fin soup is made with whole abalone, Japanese flower mushroom, sea cucumber, dried scallops, chicken, ham, pork and ginseng.
Formula one’s five leading manufacturers appear to be headed for a showdown with motor racing’s world governing body after announcing plans on Monday to form their own organisation and throw out the FIA’s international court of appeal. The five are unhappy that the current appeals panel is linked to the governing body.
An Angolan girl of eight was repeatedly tortured and almost killed after being accused by another child of being a witch, a British court was told on Monday, in a case prosecutors described as ”incredible”. The girl was put in a laundry bag and was about to be thrown into a river when one of her tormentors managed to stop the others.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair was on Monday beginning perhaps the most crucial week of his political life as he put the finishing touches to a third-term government amid talk of a possible challenge to his leadership. On Wednesday, Blair is scheduled to make a crucial speech before Labour Party members.
World oil prices rose on Monday as traders worried about possible supply shortages amid anticipated higher levels of demand for gasoline ahead of the peak driving season in the United States, dealers said. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, rose to ,97 per barrel in electronic deals.
Love doesn’t come cheap in Britain, where the typical date costs £200 (R2 290), according to a survey of some of the nation’s 8,6-million "singletons". On average, the single British man or woman goes out on a date five times a year, with the Welsh the keenest date hunters.
Drivers born under the signs of Libra, Cancer, Pisces, Taurus and Capricorn are least likely to keep their cars clean, according to a survey that explores the astrological roots of motoring cleanliness. Those born under Aquarius, Aries, Scorpio and Leo wash their cars weekly, Sagittarius and Gemini every two weeks, and Virgo every month.
There’s no more paddling, and a team of wardens in red waterproof jackets will keep the public in check. The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in London’s Hyde Park reopened on Friday after a four-month refit with stricter rules and improved drainage and footpaths that should finally put an end to its problems, park officials said.
The stakes are high for British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Thursday’s election, as a loss or narrow win by his Labour Party may end his career, while a triumph will define him as one of Britain’s political masters. Arch-rival Michael Howard also faces a defining moment, the experts predicted on Thursday.
The fashion-conscious owner of a burgled clothes shop said on Wednesday he helped to catch the man who robbed him after spotting the thief dressed in a criminally uncouth mix of stolen trousers and tops. "I couldn’t believe that this guy was wearing all the pinched stuff," said Neil Primett, who owns the Planet Clothing store in Bedford.
Chelsea’s League Cup win and first Premiership title in 50 years are only the foundations for greater success at Stamford Bridge, manager Jose Mourinho claimed on Thursday. ”I know what the club want for the future and we want the same,” the 42-year-old said after signing a fresh five-year contract.
A century from Jacques Kallis in Antigua was enough to return him to the top of the LG International Cricket Council Test rankings ahead of Brian Lara, at the end of the series between West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean. Competition at the top of the batting rankings has never been fiercer.
A British five-year-old boy got a nasty surprise when a 60cm snake slithered out of his breakfast-cereal box, his mother said on Wednesday. Jordan Willett, from Dawley, Shropshire, in England’s West Midlands, discovered the non-venomous reptile in his box of Golden Puffs on Monday.
Luis Garcia scored in the fourth minute on Tuesday to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory over English champion Chelsea and put the four-time winners into the Champions League final. The 1-0 aggregate loss ended Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho’s reign as European champion. He led FC Porto to the title last season.
Energy giant Royal Dutch/Shell on Tuesday announced a long-term deal with Libya to explore for gas in the North African country. The deal follows an agreement between Shell and the Libyan government 13 months ago to establish a long-term strategic partnership following the state’s return from an international wilderness.
Arsenal maintained their grip on second place and a direct entry into the Champions League proper with a 2-0 win away to West Brom that left Bryan Robson’s relegation-threatened team second from bottom in the Premiership. West Brom, who like the rest of the bottom four have two matches left, stayed on 30 points.
"It’s election fever!" yells Captain Beany, the bright orange superhero hoping to be Britain’s first elected baked bean. For many, Britain’s general election campaign has been downright dull. But the man once voted Britain’s fourth-best eccentric is putting a stop to all that by standing for Parliament.
Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spin doctors mounted a novel defence on Tuesday after schoolchildren appeared to boo the premier on a pre-election visit, explaining they were actually chanting "boom", an arcane term of approval in British youth slang. Slang expert Tony Thorne said "boom" is a term signifying "approval or delight".
Britain’s state-owned postal service has found a novel cure for rampant absenteeism among staff, according to a report on Tuesday — tempting malingerers back with the chance of winning a car. Since the Royal Mail started the incentive scheme six months ago, attendance levels have risen by more than 10%.
Chelsea will have to wait at least till Saturday’s match with Bolton to claim their first title in 50 years after a Jose-Antonio Reyes goal gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory over North London rivals Spurs on Monday. It leaves Arsenal with a mathematical chance of overhauling Chelsea, but they have to win their last four matches and hope Chelsea lose all theirs.
Britain’s Prince Harry was put ”at risk” by photographers who pursued him and a girlfriend as they travelled in a jeep while on safari in Botswana, royal officials said on Monday. Aides to the 20-year-old prince have raised the issue with Britain’s Press Complaints Commission.
British campaigners are to mark a global anti-television week in novel fashion, they announced on Monday — sending out a stream of activists armed with gadgets that switch off any sets within a 7m radius. The campaign is to remove television "pollution" from public areas such as pubs and bars.
Wayne Rooney scored to help Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday — their second win over the Magpies in as many weeks. In Sunday’s other match, Lomano LuaLua scored twice in five minutes as Portsmouth beat Southampton 4-1 to keep their local rival bottom of the standings.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists he does not want to win the title just yet, despite his side moving to within one result of the Premiership crown following Staurday’s 3-1 win against Fulham. Everton earned a 1-1 draw at home to Birmingham, while city rivals Liverpool slumped to a dismal 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Patients are mimicking the illnesses suffered by their favourite soap and television stars, a British survey suggested on Thursday. More than nine out of 10 doctors claimed to have seen patients reporting symptoms based on what they had seen on TV or read in newspapers, the research claimed.
The parents of a critically ill baby on Thursday lost their battle to overturn a British court order allowing her to die if her condition seriously worsens and her breathing stops. High Court Justice Sir Mark Hedley upheld an earlier ruling giving doctors permission not to resuscitate Charlotte Wyatt, now 18 months old, in such circumstances.
Defending champions Arsenal slowed Chelsea’s charge to their first league title for 50 years with a 0-0 tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Other results included Liverpool winning 2-1 at Portsmouth; Norwich beating Newcastle 2-1; Aston Villa and Charlton tied 0-0; and Blackburn edging Crystal Palace 1-0.
Bankrupt British carmaker MG Rover, which last week axed 5 000 jobs at its central England car factory, more than doubled its financial losses during 2004, The Times newspaper said on Wednesday, quoting administration sources. The losses related to the group’s car-making and engine divisions, the daily said.
A photograph allegedly of Britain’s worst serial killer in the nude is up for grabs on internet auction site eBay, where it had attracted bids of up to £850 (about R10 000) by Tuesday. The picture shows family doctor Harold Shipman — also known as "Doctor Death" — lying down naked, claims the seller.
Southampton climbed out of the bottom three, albeit on goal difference, after Kevin Phillips scored in a 1-1 Premier League draw away to Bolton on Tuesday that frustrated the hosts’ Champions League ambitions. In Tuesday’s other match, FA Cup final referee Rob Styles was at the centre of controversy.
A driver in Britain suffered a broken nose on Monday after a frozen sausage was thrown through an open window of his car, an ambulance official said. The 46-year-old man was driving near his home in south-east England, when the "bizarre incident" occurred, said a spokesperson for the Essex ambulance service.