WikiLeaks continues to dominate much of the news as new documents and cables are made public, causing embarrassment to some, amusement to others. And how attitudes have changed: Information has never been so free. Even in authoritarian countries, information networks are helping people discover new facts and making governments more accountable…Hillary Clinton, January 2010
Nobel no show
China, not surprisingly, and 18 other countries have apparently stated they will not be attending Friday’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, with Russia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq and Iran among those refusing to attend.
Better than a pile of bricks
Scottish artist Susan Philipsz has landed the £25,000 Turner Prize for an art work that cannot actually be seen as it is an audio recording, the first time the prize has been awarded for setting up a stereo.
Mustn’t forget the pagans
Hundreds of criminals in the UK are to be given four days a year off prison work in order to celebrate various pagan festivals, the latest in a series of rulings to protect convicts’ rights and ensure equality among different faiths. Prison governors have been issued with a list of eight annual pagan holidays, from which pagan inmates can choose …
Water and biccies anyone?
For seven long years, parents at the Mill Hill Children’s Centre, Waterlooville, Hampshire, have merrily drunk tea and coffee and dunked their digestives while their their kids played. They even pay for the privilege. But not any more.
Beijing to Shanghai in just five hours is the target
A Chinese passenger train now holds the World Speed Record for an unmodified conventional commercial train after reaching a speed of 486 kilometres per hour (302 mph) on a section of track between Beijing and Shanghai.
Some real news is always good to liven up the day
Stunning news in the Daily Wag and Cleavage. Kate Middleton braves the snow in her favourite pair of black suede boots. There must be half a dozen snowflakes in the picture.
Photos from Afghanistan
Saturday, November 27th marked the day that the United States and its allies have now been in Afghanistan longer than the Soviet Union had been when it withdrew in 1989. As they often do, Boston.com have published a set of very good photos from the conflict zone.
Ghoul event
The pine coffin which used to contain the body of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man widely believed to have shot President John F Kennedy, is to be sold at auction.
UK airport news
Severe disruption at Gatwick Airport where the runways are closed until at least 0600 GMT on Thursday due to heavy snowfalls. Edinburgh Airport is also closed until at least Thursday morning. Guernsey Airport, Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster and Durham Tees Valley Airport are also closed and other airports are witnessing delays and disruptions to services. Passengers are advised to …