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United Kingdom Talk Thursday 24th July 2008
Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
From my sisters garden in Woodhall Spa.
The over weight category.
Diversions.
They are all tied up.
A bad eye.
A hand held device that measures fat.
A pair of shorts.
Sausage rolls again !
Welcome to me old mate Dawn in Brighton.
Jimmy's end of year school play.
Can I give up ?
Electrical help from Wayne.
Trying to buy trainers.
My sister is shy.
Waiting to see what happens is not always a good thing.
Where's the umbrella ?
Could I talk for 4 hours, 5 times a week ?
What warning do you get ?
Blue flashing lights.
Am I bothered ?
Who's hiding behind the glass ?
A lorry in the garden.
The dogs & cats.
An electrical pulse.
A quick tour of the house.
Porky.
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Unbelievable story of bravery: "grenade hero" wins George cross
A British Royal Marine who, in an extraordinary display of courage, threw himself on top of a grenade to protect his comrades, is to receive the George Cross.
Lance Corporal Matthew Croucher, 24, triggered a trip wire which released a live grenade, when on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in February. He "immediately dropped to the ground and lay across the grenade, being blown into their air as it went off"!
In the split second it took for him to make the decision, he undoubtedly protected the rest of his patrol from serious injury, and probably death: Lt Croucher's bag cushioned him from the blast, leaving him with just "a nose bleed and a headache", while his comrades escaped with only "cuts and bruises."
The George cross is almost the equivalent of the extremely pretigious Victoria cross, and is essentially the same, except that is for actions which are not directly in the face of the enemy.
I've got to say though, how many people would have the initial reaction to jump ONTO the grenade: that's some SERIOUS guts.
A British Royal Marine who, in an extraordinary display of courage, threw himself on top of a grenade to protect his comrades, is to r... more -
United Kingdom Talk Tuesday 22nd July2008
Tuesday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch
the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
Today's show is dedicated to Uncle Michael Hayes.R.I.P.10th July 2008.
The excitement is building.
Sinning in advance.
Looking around in Lincolnshire.
Speaking at a funeral.
Why the dark glasses ?
Blip TV.
Congratulations Ryan.
Man From Atlantis.
A clean hospital.
Where's my cushion ?
Hi to Kayleigh, Rocky, Granite & Pebbles.Oh - I nearly forgot - Judith LOL.
Don't throw things away.
Slipping into holiday mode.
Soap problems.
Stargate.
Fish in little bowls.
Driving & mobile phones.
A plastic globe.
Electric car news from Joe.
Shall I undo another button ?
Tiny car park.
My arms.
The shopping list is ready.
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Tuesday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Missing: 747 top secret computers
Since 2004, the British Ministry of Defense has lost:
-89 laptops
-121 thumb drives
-23 desktops (since 1998)
-1 46-page document outlining the nation's response to a terrorist attack
Of the laptops, nine contained information classified as top secret or secret. To date of the 747 lost or stolen laptops in the past four years only 32 had been recovered.
Three of the lost USB drives contained information said to be "secret" with 19 additional ones containing information said to be "restricted." Since 2004, the British Ministry of Defense has lost: -89 laptops -121 thumb drives -23 desktops (since 1998) ... more -
Bluetooth Big Brother uses mobiles and laptops to track thousands of Britons
Thousands of Britons' movements have been covertly tracked by scanners placed in streets, pubs and offices for a technology experiment.
The Cityware project run by the University of Bath has secretly placed scanners around the Somerset city, with the first 10 installed 2006. The scanners pick up bluetooth radio signals transmitted from mobile phones and laptops.
In a scene reminiscent of the Will Smith thriller Enemy of the State, it has allowed researchers to map the journeys of individuals without their knowledge or consent.
The data is being used in a project called 'Radio City' to survey the 'mobile computing landscape'. The researchers hope it will help them understand how and why people move around urban environments.
As many as 3,000 Bluetooth devices are tracked every weekend and one recent study monitored the movements of 10,000 people around Bath.
On the Cityware website, the researchers said the survey would cover 'all phenomena associated with the carrying and use of mobile devices.'
This includes where and why users make mobile phone calls and even how people orientate their laptops in cafes.
The leaders of the £1.6million initiative claim their study looks at the city as a whole and the scanners do not have access to the identities of those they track.
'The notion that an agency would serious consider Bluetooth scanning as a surveillance technique is ludicrous,' Cityware director Eamonn O'Neill told The Guardian.
However, pedestrians are not being told their mobiles and laptops could be creating a permanent record that will be stored on a central database.
Privacy campaigners have attacked the project as a 'moronic used of technology'.
Director of pressure group Privacy International, Simon Davies, said: "For Bath University to assert that there aren't privacy implications demonstrates an astonishing disregard for consumer rights.
'If the technology is as safe as they claim, then all the technical specifications should be published and people should be informed when they are being tracked.
'This technology could well become the CCTV of the mobile industry,' he went on to The Guardian.
'It would not take much adjustment to make this system a ubiquitous surveillance infrastructure over which we have no control."
Cityware's software has since been made available on the internet sites Facebook and Second Life and there are now more than 1,000 scanners across the world. Thousands of Britons' movements have been covertly tracked by scanners placed in streets, pubs and offices for a technology experiment... more -
Mind over matter as scientists use brainpower to make wishes come true
From the Hollywood film Firefox to the television show Heroes, science fiction writers have always dreamt of the day when humans could control machines with the power of thought alone.
Now British scientists are turning the vision into reality with a device that allows objects to be manipulated with brain waves.
Mind over matter as scientists use brainpower to make wishes come true
From the Hollywood film Firefox to the television show Heroes, science fiction writers have always dreamt of the day when humans could control machines with the power of thought alone.
Now British scientists are turning the vision into reality with a device that allows objects to be manipulated with brain waves.
The prototype, developed at Essex University, can already be used to play simple computer games. By imagining a movement, the wearer of the hat-shaped device can tell the computer to move an object around a screen or a robot around a room.
The researchers hope their technology will eventually allow people to move wheelchairs and drive cars with their thoughts.
The development came as the video games maker Nintendo disclosed that it wanted to build on the success of the motion-sensitive technology used in the best-selling console, the Wii, by developing games that can be controlled by thought.
To pick up the signal from the brain, the scientists use a cap fitted with electrodes that detect changes in the electrical activity produced by the neurons.
When a person wearing the cap imagines a particular action, such as moving a hand, it produces a distinct pattern of signals that a computer learns to recognise.
Dr John Gan, who is leading the research at Essex University's department of electrical engineering, said: "We have been developing this to help disabled patients who have limited movement ability or don't have any, so they can control a computer or a wheelchair by thinking.
"But the general applications are quite widespread, from controlling computer games to using the brain to control things in the living environment, such as turning lights on and off, opening and shutting curtains or switching channels on the television."
Scientists hope to change completely the way humans interact with computers and technology by abandoning keyboards for devices that interpret signals directly from the brain.
It is technology that has until now been a Hollywood dream, such as in the 1982 Clint Eastwood film, Firefox, where the actor plays a pilot who flies a thought-controlled jet fighter, or the television show Heroes, in which a young boy discovers he has the power to control computers and electronic machines with his thoughts.
Prof Nigel Shadbolt, of the school of computer science at Southampton University and former president of the British Computer Society, said: "The old science fiction idea of interpreting brain signals is becoming scientific reality.
"The brain is constantly active and produces a lot of chaotic noise, but we are getting better and better devices that are able to separate useful signals from the background."
The Essex University scientists have developed a second device which picks up electrical activity in tiny muscle movements in the forehead and the movement of the eyes to control a wheelchair.
With a flick of the brow, patients can move the chair forwards, backwards, left and right. ... more -
Surgeons to be given bonuses for saving lives
NHS surgeons are to be paid bonuses based on the number of lives they save, in radical plans being drawn up by hospitals across Britain.
For the first time, they will receive performance-related pay according to the results they achieve on the operating table, with levels dependent on how well patients recover.
Leading surgeons said that this could deter doctors from taking on higher-risk patients, such as the frail and elderly, and from carrying out complex operations.
Patients' groups said those facing surgery would be "horrified" by the proposals and questioned why doctors should be paid a premium for fulfilling their basic duty.
The Government intends to link doctors' merit payments to patient mortality and other measures, such as rates of infection, readmission and post-operative mobility.
Britain's largest hospital trust is already preparing a pilot scheme that will link surgical outcomes to bonus payments.
Imperial College Healthcare Trust has begun measuring the performance of its doctors and Prof Stephen Smith, the chief executive, said that it intended to use the data on mortality, infection and the cost-effectiveness of its consultant teams, to reward the best-performing doctors.
The pilot scheme will concentrate on rewarding surgeons for the degree of mobility patients enjoy after their operations.
The London trust's own surgeons admitted to risks if the plans were not handled carefully
A consultant, Justin Vale, who is the programme group director for surgery and cancer, said: "We have got to ensure we don't create a dangerous precedent, that the surgeons doing the big complex cases aren't discouraged from taking them on."
Ben Bridgewater, of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgeons, said that he would be very cautious of using data on a consultant and his team as the basis for bonus payouts.
"Surgeons would be quite anxious about using these measures in this way," he said. "They wouldn't be confident the data is robust enough, or that it reflects the mix of patients and activity that they deal with. I don't think surgeons will buy into this."
Katherine Murphy, from the Patients Association, said: "Patients will be horrified. There is a real risk that the most complicated cases, and the patients in real need, will be forgotten because they don't get the best outcomes.
"Doctors already have a duty to provide high-quality care. I think a good doctor would be insulted by the idea that they will only do their best on the operating table if there is extra money in it."
In the North West, 24 trusts are piloting a scheme that will pay bonuses to the 20 per cent of hospitals with the lowest rates of deaths, complications and other clinical standards for five common operations.
Managers will be able to pass the bonuses on to doctors and nurses.
In December, the Government will publish a set of indicators to measure the quality of treatment at every NHS hospital.
In a report published last month, Lord Darzi, the health minister, said that the national merit payment scheme for senior hospital doctors, which can pay them up to £73,000 extra for "exceptional" work or for outstanding research, should be altered to reflect performance against such quality indicators.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said that as the use of performance measures became more widespread and robust, they would become more influential in who received merit awards.
Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS medical director, said that clinicians needed more reliable data to see how they compared with their peers and to improve standards.
He said: "Lord Darzi's review of the NHS was very clear that quality should be at the heart of everything the health service does."
Sir Bruce said that all hospitals would be rewarded, firstly for improving the standard of the information they collected, then for the quality of care. NHS surgeons are to be paid bonuses based on the number of lives they save, in radical plans being drawn up by hospitals across Britai... more -
Please look out for these chargers
They are seriously dangerous and all over the UK all of a sudden. If you notice they are around a third cheaper then normal, please don't buy it. They are known to 'charge' mobile phones and games consolles. Click on the link for more.
(P.S, if you don't like it,please don't vote it down so much, i you don't want it to make the news that's only fair, but please leave it so enough people can see this warning. Thanks.) They are seriously dangerous and all over the UK all of a sudden. If you notice they are around a third cheaper then normal, please do... more -
PM refuses Iraq troops timetable
Gordon Brown has said he favours reducing troop numbers in Iraq but would not set an "artificial timetable" during talks with Iraqi leaders. Gordon Brown has said he favours reducing troop numbers in Iraq but would not set an "artificial timetable" during talks with Iraqi le... more
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Soldiers killed in Kashmir blast
At least nine soldiers have been killed in an explosion triggered by suspected separatist militants, police in Indian-administered Kashmir said.
At least nine soldiers have been killed in an explosion triggered by suspected separatist militants, police in Indian-administered Kas... more -
MoD admits MORE loss of MORE secret files
More than 100 USB memory sticks, some containing secret information, have been lost or stolen from the Ministry of Defence since 2004, it has emerged. So, where they just hiding the fact, or did they just notice? with this happening so many dang times, I may wonder.
More than 100 USB memory sticks, some containing secret information, have been lost or stolen from the Ministry of Defence since 2004,... more -
Businessman puts divorce details online to stop rumours | Money | guardian.co.uk
A millionaire businessman has posted his divorce settlement on the internet to stamp out rumours that he was "tight" and trying to fleece his wife in order to keep up his champagne lifestyle.
Gary Dean, 47, who runs his own advertising company, divorced Helen Dean, mother to his four children, after 19 years of marriage.
When gossip began circulating around the village of St Michaels on the affluent Fylde coast in Lancashire where the couple lived, Dean decided to reveal his £3.7m payout. A millionaire businessman has posted his divorce settlement on the internet to stamp out rumours that he was "tight" and trying to fle... more -
Free higher education a possibility for British troops
"Servicemen and women may be able to go to college or university without paying tuition fees when they leave the army, navy or air force under a wide-ranging package of measures announced today.
Under one plan, anyone who has spent six years in the services will have the chance to study for a first foundation or full degree without paying tuition fees when they leave the services. Alternatively, they will be able to study for an A-level equivalent qualification without being charged.
The most severely wounded soldiers will be eligible for compensation worth up to £570,000, up from the previous maximum of £285,000, as well as continuing to receive an annual income, as they do already.
Servicemen and women who suffer less serious injuries during conflicts will receive an increase of up to 80%."
Wow. That is some kind of incentive. Although, with all the stories coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan, is the risk worth a free ride? "Servicemen and women may be able to go to college or university without paying tuition fees when they leave the army, navy or air for... more -
NHS: Thousands of schoolchildren drink six pints a week
One in five 11 to 15-year-olds in England - 640,000 school pupils - had drunk alcohol in the past week, figures published by the NHS Information Centre show. One in five 11 to 15-year-olds in England - 640,000 school pupils - had drunk alcohol in the past week, figures published by the NHS I... more
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Slimy Science: Snails may hold key to Alzheimer's cure
The common pond snail could provide a breakthrough in the brain's ageing process, which could help in treating related diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Snails trained to associtate the flavour 'pear drop' sweets with getting a meal. When snails get older, they forget the association, and a team at the University of Brighton, England, are trying to find out why.
If they can, they could be "a step closer to discovering why human memory falters" as we get older, and so to developing drugs to combat ageing related diseases. The common pond snail could provide a breakthrough in the brain's ageing process, which could help in treating related diseases such a... more -
United Kingdom Talk Thursday 17th July 2008
Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch or listen to the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Elevators or lift fun !
Knives.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/home
Go green.
Some Americans reply to Toby from Japan's email.
Nearer to next Christmas !
It was shining !
We didn't know we were doing damage.
Jean Hyland.
Oh those serious faces.
A big parcel has arrived !
You cannot judge a whole country by a few people.
Fidgeting.
Not a very happy person.
Hair dye.
What dangerous games did you play as a child ?
For the benefit of many, not just one.
Now we know.
I am J.R.
Someone has to take the lead.
Anyone can be camp !
Good things done by ordinary people.
It's all gone so quickly.
Village People.
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch or listen to the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Russel Brand joke misfires, big-time
He's known for his edgy comedy, and this was certainly edgy.
At a stand-up gig in Northampton, UK, British comedian Russel Brand borrowed the phone of an audience member, to make an onstage prank call to an EMERGENCY RAPE LINE. He then went on to report a fictional sighting of a man wearing "polka dot trousers and a pink DayGlo cap', in an underpass which has seen several sexual assaults in recent weeks.
Unsurprisingly, his actions have been widely condemned by rape suport charities, who failed to see the joke. Nor do I, as hard as I try. He's known for his edgy comedy, and this was certainly edgy. ... more -
Mutant that threatens to wipe out grey squirrel
The grey squirrel could become overrun in parts of Britain within 10 years by its faster, fitter and more aggressive black counterpart, researchers in Cambridge have heard. The grey squirrel could become overrun in parts of Britain within 10 years by its faster, fitter and more aggressive black counterpart... more
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United Kingdom Talk Tuesday 15th July 2008
Tuesday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on Current TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Accounts.
Any chefs watching or listening ?
The heavens have opened.
Snakes.
Ed's diner - it's gone ! LOL.
Who will go, and who will stay ?
Oysters.
Throwing food away.
A holiday gone wrong.
A new bit of graphics (on the video).
Where's that wind coming from ?
Dave in Dallas.
Other places for afternoon tea.
Homeless.
Not feeling safe.
A strong email from Japan.
A cruise ship.
Not long now 'till I visit my sister.
My first Wednesday off.
Just after the bend.
Slugs & snails.
Marsha looks forward to tea.
Jasons web site - www.jason-allen.co.uk
Bingay and karaoke.No.That won't work ! LOL
Rain everywhere.
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Tuesday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on Current TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
British man dies after fall from Dubai building
The UK foreign office has reported that a British man was killed on Saturday, after he fell from his apartment block in Dubai.
His death is apparently being treated as suspicious: Two British nationals are currently being held by Police. The UK foreign office has reported that a British man was killed on Saturday, after he fell from his apartment block in Dubai. ... more
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