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Setting up a bank in Britain gets easier
Stephen Beard Apr 29, 2013
Despite the recent global banking crisis, UK regulators have decided to cut down application approval times for new banks and lower the capital requirements. An American starting a bank there says this will stimulate competition.
Britain celebrates its Huguenot heritage
Stephen Beard Apr 24, 2013
Immigration is a contentious issue in Britain, but the country recently celebrated one of the most successful immigrant groups -- French Protestants or Huguenots.
Margaret Thatcher's foes turned anger into big business, and a soundtrack for the '80s
Stacey Vanek Smith Apr 8, 2013
From punk rock to TV satires such as Spitting Image, many of those who set out to pillory Margaret Thatcher for her policies made a nice living doing so. Listen to the soundtrack that hate created.
U.K. government battles to cut deficit
Stephen Beard Jan 8, 2013
The U.K.'s coalition government has just passed the halfway point in its first term. Critics say its continuing tough talk on austerity is constraining growth.
Britain glad, but not surprised, over fiscal cliff's end
Stephen Beard Jan 1, 2013
British worry that Americans will just keep printing money, rather than focus on our own austerity measures.
Graphene material gets big investment from Britain
Stephen Beard Dec 27, 2012
The British government is plowing more public money into a miracle new substance. Graphene is said to be the lightest, thinnest and strongest material known to man. It was developed in Britain and could revolutionize high-tech manufacturing.
Using Twitter to summon emergency help
Stephen Beard Dec 18, 2012
On the face of it, it sounds crazy: Your house or apartment is on fire, and rather than phoning the emergency services, you tweet them. But that is what the London Fire Brigade is mulling over.
British ash trees threatened by fungus from Denmark
Stephen Beard Dec 4, 2012
The disease could wipe out a third of Britain's forest, and landowners and tree growers could lose tens of millions.
British government wants booze price hike
Stephen Beard Nov 28, 2012
Faced with the costs of alcoholism and alcohol-related crime, Britain's government wants to introduce a mandatory minimum price for alcohol. Cheap drink is believed to cost the country billions of dollars each year.
Could Britain leave the European Union?
Stephen Beard Nov 22, 2012
Britain contributes far more to the budget of the European Union than it receives in subsidies for agriculture and infrastructure. Its prime minister wants to freeze the budget where it is.
