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Creation of Human-Animal Embryos OKed in the UK
British scientists will be allowed to research devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s using human-animal embryos, after the House of Commons tonight rejected a ban.
An amendment to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill that would have outlawed the creation of “human admixed embryos” for medical research was defeated in a free vote by a majority of 160, preserving what Gordon Brown regards as a central element of the legislation.
The Government, however, is braced for defeat tomorrow on a separate clause that would scrap the requirement that fertility clinics consider a child’s “need for a father” before treating patients. MPs will also tomorrow consider amendments that would cut the legal limit for abortion from 24 weeks to 22 or 20 weeks.
A second amendment, that would have banned the creation only of “true hybrids” made by fertilizing an animal egg with human sperm, or vice-versa, was also defeated by a majority of 63. Another free vote later tonight is expected to approve the use of embryo-screening to create “savior siblings” suitable to donate umbilical cord blood to sick children. British scientists will be allowed to research devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s using human-animal embryos, af... more -
UK tourist group missing in China quake
Reports have emerged that there has still been no contact with a group of UK tourists who were in one of the Chinese regions devastated by the recent earthquake.
According to Sky, both travel companies and the Foreign Office are trying to make contact with a number of unaccounted-for UK citizens. One of the travel companies, Travel Collection, has reported that 19 of their travelers were on a coach accompanied by a local guide and driver travelling from Chengdu to Wolong when the quake hit.
Although fears are growing over making contact with other UK survivors, the UK travel organisation Abta has reported that over 100 of the tourists travelling in the region were 'safe and unhurt.' Reports have emerged that there has still been no contact with a group of UK tourists who were in one of the Chinese regions devastate... more -
Britons kidnapped in Iraq are ‘Held by Iran’
Five British hostages who were kidnapped in Iraq almost a year ago are being held inside Iran by Revolutionary Guards, according to two separate sources in the Middle East and London.
The hostages were handed over to the Revolutionary Guards by their Iraqi kidnappers last November, the sources believe. One of the sources said they were being held in the western Iranian city of Hamadan.
If confirmed, the involvement of Revolutionary Guards would be seen as evidence that senior figures in the Iranian government had backed the decision to hold them in the country.
However, British officials said that while there had been rumours that the five were in Iran, they had seen no evidence to support the idea.
The hostages are said to be in good physical shape but spending much of their time in solitary confinement.
According to one of the sources, they are under the control of Mohammad Safaei, 41, a senior Revolutionary Guard colonel who was previously in charge of special operations in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.
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I'd suggest reading the entire article.
Nothing has been proven, but "sources say..." Five British hostages who were kidnapped in Iraq almost a year ago are being held inside Iran by Revolutionary Guards, according to tw... more -
Islamic militants kill British teacher and Kenyans in Somalia
It is being reported that a British school teacher, her two female Kenyan colleagues and a Somali headmaster have been killed by Islamist militants at a Somalian school, after suspected rebels attacked the central town of Beledweyne.
Motives for the killings are still unclear with a cousin of one of the deceased saying:
"We don't know why they were killed, but it happened when Islamist insurgents briefly took control of Beledweyne town last night."
Over the last year, insurgents have attacked government targets as a response to their 'ousting' from southern and central regions by Ethiopian-backed Somali troops. The violence has seen thousands killed with reports claiming hundreds of thousands have fleed from the region in a bid to escape the unrest. It is being reported that a British school teacher, her two female Kenyan colleagues and a Somali headmaster have been killed by Islam... more -
5 Britons die in Ecuador bus crash
According to a local newspaper, La Hora, five British women were killed in Sancan, and another 12 injured when a bus from the company Reina del Camino hit another vehicle. The accident happened near Puerto Lopez yesterday evening at around 6pm local time. It says they had been on a sightseeing trip to the beaches of southern Manabi when the bus crashed.
The South American country - which includes the Galapagos Islands - is known for its volcanoes, tropical forests and rich wildlife. The travel editor of the Independent newspaper, Simon Calder, said the country's infrastructure was basic: "this is a third world country with all the problems that come with that," he told the BBC. According to a local newspaper, La Hora, five British women were killed in Sancan, and another 12 injured when a bus from the company ... more
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