Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

Only a quarter of all graduates will pay off loans

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Only one in four graduates will pay back the full cost of their tuition fees under the coalition's new system for financing higher education in England.

One is most amused: The UK's hottest young designers reveal their modern take on William and Kate memorabilia...

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Ever since Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement on 16 November, producers of royal memorabilia have gone into overdrive. Asda was first off the mark. "Nothing says congratulations like your face on a mug," a spokesperson declared as the shelves creaked beneath the weight of £5 commemorative cups. On eBay, there are sets of bone-china thimbles featuring the happy couple's faces (buy now for £4.95!) and, of course, the Royal Mint is busily perfecting that top-secret coin design.

Life on the poverty line: Breadline Britain

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Thousands of people will be forced to take charity food handouts or go hungry this winter, as poverty hits people across the country. The spectre of families forced to subsist on charity hampers is so widespread that the Government is to provide food vouchers for the most desperate.

Honeymoon murder: Questions the groom must face

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Tragic victim or the callous orchestrator of the brutal slaying of his new bride? Shrien Dewani's all too brief married life has shocked and polarised opinion. As the 30-year-old businessman continues to undergo trauma and bereavement counselling at his home near Bristol this weekend, he must also begin, together with his lawyers, to prepare to defend himself against allegations that he conspired to murder his wife of two weeks, Anni.

Riots and recriminations

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Scotland Yard last night released pictures of 14 people wanted in connection with violence in a succession of tuition fee demonstrations since 10 November.

Official engagement portraits released

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Official portraits of Prince William and Kate Middleton were released yesterday, taken by the fashion photographer Mario Testino.

Heinz workers vote to strike over two-year pay offer

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

More than 1,000 Heinz workers are to go on strike in a pay row, it was announced yesterday.

Transport minister resigns over snow chaos

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Scotland's transport minister resigned yesterday following criticism of his handling of travel problems caused by the poor weather.

Deputy PM to claim 'pupil premium' victory

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Nick Clegg will this week attempt to heal the wounds caused by the Liberal Democrats' row over tuition fees by announcing victory in another of the party's most critical policy areas.

Boring? The number 23 bus? Never!

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST

Geoff Lloyd didn't mess around when it came to picking his subject for Boring 2010. Short of talking about the East Coast railway's rolling stock, bus routes were probably the dullest-sounding topic he could muster. Likewise, when Ed Ross wanted an item of food to taste-test in front of a roomful of people he settled on milk, because, well, he figured scotch eggs or pork pies would have been a bit racy.

Thaw prompts flood warnings

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 03:47 AM PST

Melting snow has brought fresh warnings of localised flooding and the closure of an England to Scotland road link.

Pope's offer to Anglicans 'sparked fears of backlash'

Posted: 11 Dec 2010 12:37 AM PST

The British ambassador to the Vatican feared a backlash against Catholics in the UK after the Pope encouraged Anglicans to convert over the issue of female priests, according to the latest US embassy cables revealed by WikiLeaks.

posted by Greg Shaw at Sunday, December 12, 2010