Zitat:Die Folgen dieser Entdeckung sind selbst für ihren Entdecker, den Historiker Jones, "begeisternd und erschreckend zugleich". Die Windsors müssten abdanken, das ist der begeisternde Teil. Aber außer ihnen hätten 25 Könige und Königinnen ihre Plätze in den Geschichtsbüchern zu räumen, unter anderem Publikumslieblinge wie Heinrich VIII., der Frauenköpfer, und Edward VIII., der auf seinen Thron verzichtete, um die Bürgerliche Wallis Simpson heiraten zu können. Sie würden ersetzt werden durch Unbekannte, durch Theophilus Hastings und seinen Enkel gleichen Namens, durch Francis Rawdon, Earl of Moira, durch Lady Barbara, Mutter von Michael Hastings.

Die Dokumentation über Hastings wurde vor kurzem gesendet, und so erfuhren die Briten von ihrem neuen König, Ahnenforscher bestätigten die Legitimität des Anspruchs, die Windsors bemühten sich, die aufkommenden Diskussionen durch einen steiflippigen Satz zu ersticken: "Der Anspruch ist eine Sache der Filmproduzenten."

Nun liegt es an Michael Hastings, wie es mit der Monarchie in Großbritannien weitergeht. Werden Elizabeth, Charles und dessen Söhne weiter durch ihr Reich stolpern, oder wird König Michael I. den Briten ein wenig australische Lässigkeit bringen?.......

Zitat:Besser einen Presidenten, der das Land repräsentiert, denn den kann man abwählen wenns einen Skandal gibt

Zitat:Defence Minister Announces New Structure for UK Reserve Forces


(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Feb. 18, 2004)


Ivor Caplin, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, today announced changes to the senior management structure of the Reserve Forces, including a new 2-star (equivalent of Major General) post to be held by a Reservist, titled Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets).
....

Zitat:Surveillance officer job requirements
Able to blend in, average height, build and appearance
Able to remain alert during periods of inactivity
Flexible and able to cope with frequent disruption

Zitat:MI5 expands to meet terror threat

The home security service MI5 is to expand by 50% in response to the terrorist threat to the UK, the BBC has learned.

The home secretary will announce the move in parliament next week.

At least 1,000 extra people will be recruited, bringing MI5 back to World War II staffing levels.
The agency says it will take several years to find and vet the staff, principally to carry out surveillance and intelligence gathering work.

Zitat:Britain's economy grew by 2.3% last year, a faster pace than first estimated, official figures have shown.

The growth figure was revised upwards from the initial estimate of 2.1% after evidence of stronger exports of services and household spending.

Zitat:Unemployment in the UK fell to a fresh two-and-a-half year low in the final quarter of 2003, official figures show.

The total fell by 21,000 to 1,459,000 during the three months to December.

The UK jobless rate edged lower to 4.9% - the joint lowest level since records began in 1984 - the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported.

Meanwhile, the number of people out of work and claiming unemployment benefit fell last month by 13,400 to 892,100 - the lowest total for almost 30 years.

Under the claimant count measure, which has fallen for eight consecutive months, the UK jobless rate dropped to just 2.9%.

Zitat:The UK economy will expand faster than expected in 2004 thanks to rising exports and a revival in business investment, the CBI has predicted.

In its quarterly economic forecast, it said growth would average 3% this year, up from a previous estimate of 2.8%.

Zitat:London - Wegen möglicher Kriegsverbrechen im Irak will eine Vereinigung britischer Juristen Klage gegen den englischen Premierminister Tony Blair beim Internationalen Strafgerichtshof (IStGH) in Den Haag einreichen. Blair solle dafür belangt werden "absichtlich den Irak angegriffen und dabei den Tod und die Verletzungen von Zivilisten in Kauf genommen zu haben" erklärte die Gruppe "Legal action against war" ("Gesetzliche Initiative gegen den Krieg") am Dienstag in London. Auch gegen den britischen Verteidigungsminister Geoff Hoon, Außenminister Jack Straw sowie Justizminister Peter Goldsmith wollen die Juristen Klage einreichen........

Zitat:Alvis, the British maker of tanks and armoured vehicles, today agreed to a £309m takeover by General Dynamics, as the US defence giant steps up its presence in Europe.

General Dynamics, which makes the Abrams tank, submarines, guns and battlefield communications systems, said the purchase would help it "strategically expand" its European armoured vehicle business.

Zitat:At-a-glance: The Budget
Key points from Gordon Brown's eighth Budget, which was delivered in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Zitat:Economic outlook

* The chancellor opened his speech saying: "The purpose of this Budget is to lock in for Great Britain the economic stability that can and will endure."

* The British economy grew by 2.3% in 2003, meeting Treasury forecasts.

* The growth forecast remains at 3-3.5% for 2004 and 2005 and at 2.5-3% for 2006.

* Claimant count unemployment was now at 2.9% on Wednesday's new figures - the lowest since 1993.

* Manufacturing output is expected to grow by just under 2% this year and over 2% next year.

Zitat:Euro

* The Treasury will review progress on joining the euro in the next Budget, but not now.

Zitat:Public spending

* In 2006-07 and 2007-08, current spending will rise by 2.5%, with the money allocated in this summer's spending review.

* Mr Brown said he had already rejected calls to freeze the defence, Home Office and transport budgets. Both defence and transport would get real terms increases, he said.

* Education budget to rise to £8.1bn by 2008, with spending on early years teaching to rise to £669m.

Zitat:Security
· Extra £6bn allocated for Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and the fight against terrorism.