Victoria's secret: Late queen's bloomers bust record

2011-11-03T09:00:23Z

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Queen Victoria's underwear sold for record prices, but a four-poster bed in which actress Elizabeth Taylor celebrated her eighth honeymoon failed to set bidders at an Edinburgh a...

Saudi crown prince has surgery in US: consulate

2011-07-06T14:30:37Z

Saudi Arabia's ailing Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz has undergone an operation in a New York hospital, an official at the kingdom's consulate in the US metropolis told AFP on Wednesday.

"He is in New York. He has been operated on," said the official, who declined to be named discussing private matters of the royal fam...

Even the Queen faces funding squeeze in austerity Britain

2011-06-30T10:30:27Z

LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth became the latest Briton to face a funding squeeze on Thursday when the government proposed changes to how it pays for royal trips and engagements.

The Conservative-led government, which is imposing cost cuts and tax rises on more humble Britons, plans to finance the royal fami...

Police arrest woman in News of the World phone hack probe

2011-06-23T02:00:11Z

LONDON (Reuters) - London police said on Thursday they had arrested a woman as part of their investigation into a phone-hacking scandal at a top-selling newspaper belonging to Rupert Murdoch's New Corp group.

The 39-year-old woman was arrested shortly befor...

Swazi teachers demand king assets freeze

2011-06-01T15:30:15Z

About 3,000 Swazi teachers marched to the South African and US embassies here Wednesday to appeal for an international asset freeze against King Mswati III, Africa's last absolute monarch.

"We appeal to you to identify and freeze assets owned by the ruling elite and investe...

Thailand charges US citizen with insulting royals

2011-05-27T07:00:22Z

A US citizen has been charged in Thailand with insulting the monarchy after he posted material deemed offensive on his blog and put a link to a banned book, authorities said Friday.

Thai-born Lerpong Wichaikhammat, 54, was arrested on Tuesday in Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeast Thailand and is...

Politics replaces pomp on Obama's Britain visit

2011-05-25T01:30:11Z

US President Barack Obama will Wednesday swap royal ceremony for the diplomatic intricacies of navigating the turmoil sown by the Arab Spring, on the final day of his state visit to Britain.

Obama, who was feted on Tuesday by Britain's royal family, will hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron...

Obamas get royal welcome at Buckingham Palace

2011-05-24T08:30:19Z

LONDON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama received a royal 41-gun salute at Buckingham Palace Tuesday to begin a two-day state visit aimed at ensuring the United States and

Prince Charles begins US visit on city farm

2011-05-04T05:30:35Z

Days after the pomp of his son Prince William's wedding in London, Prince Charles picked his way through an urban farm in a gritty part of Washington as he began a US vis...

Royal Wedding frenzy turns off many Americans

2011-04-27T20:30:21Z

For every American setting an alarm clock to go off before dawn Friday to catch the Royal Wedding, there is at least one curmudgeon glowering in a corner, eagerly waiting for the whole thing to be over.

In America, as in Britain, the wedding of Kate and William is almost inescapable.

Food sections of US newspapers have reprinted scone recipes. Entrepreneurial vendors are hawking commemorative tea cosies ...

US media ramps up royal wedding coverage

2011-04-03T08:30:21Z

While the British are already overwhelmed by the media frenzy surrounding Prince William's wedding, coverage in the United States is just now heating up and will reach fever pitch in the week before the April 29 ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

"It's catching on pretty quickly in the U...

Royal wedding brings stardom to super-collector

2011-04-01T07:30:19Z

Margaret Tyler has long held a special place among fans of the British monarchy for her huge collection of memorabilia, but the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton has made her a global star.

Television crews from Australia to the Prince William and Kate Middleton marry, excitement about Britain's biggest royal wedding for 30 years is building as details emerge, although the dress remains a state secret.

The second-in-line to the throne marries his university sweetheart on April 29 at

Bahrain opposition drops pre-conditions for talks

2011-03-03T06:02:13Z

MANAMA (Reuters) - Bahraini opposition groups said on Thursday they were now ready to enter into talks with the government without pre-conditions, but have sent a letter to the crown prince saying they want a new government and constitution.

The opposition groups, formed mainly of disgruntled majority Shi'ite Muslims, have led large protests in the island kingdom since last month, but had previously dema...

Royal wedding grips U.S. TV, but who to play Kate?

2011-01-28T17:00:16Z

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The romance between Britain's Prince William and fiancée Kate Middleton is getting the TV movie treatment as celebrity-hungry U.S. media gears up for the...

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials

2010-12-29T11:00:12Z

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials in Newspapers in the US and Abroad

Excerpts from recent editorials in newspapers in the United States and abroad:

Dec. 28

The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y., on flexible spending accounts and over-the-counter drugs.

Flexible spending accounts, which have give...

Prince Charles lacks Commonwealth 'respect': WikiLeaks

2010-11-29T18:30:49Z

Prince Charles "does not command the same respect" as Queen Elizabeth II, a senior Commonwealth official said in a US cable released by WikiLeaks and published by the Guard...

Arabs 'urged US to air strike Iran', WikiLeaks reveals

2010-11-29T15:00:39Z

...

Arabs 'urged US strikes on Iran'

2010-11-29T15:00:38Z

...

Arab rulers 'asked for Iran attack'

2010-11-29T15:00:38Z

...

Leaked cables 'include royal claim'

2010-11-29T15:00:38Z

...

Prince William's fiancee has famous US relatives

2010-11-16T11:00:28Z

Genealogists say Prince William's fiancee has famous US relatives, including George Washington

The fiancee of Britain's Prince William has some family ties to famous Americans, including the first U.S. president.

The Bible is called

What is Treason?

2010-11-05T11:22:06Z

...

Champagne and Polo with Prince Harry

2010-09-12T03:50:51Z

...

What Is a Jurisdiction?

2010-11-05T11:14:27Z

...

beavers from space and royal beaches

2010-09-11T19:36:27Z

...

New World Tapestry

2010-10-11T18:23:05Z

The panels
The New World Tapestry, which in its entirety measures 267 ft x 4 ft (81.3 m x 1.2 m), consists of twenty four panels, each of which depicts the narrative of a particular phase in the period between 1583 and 1642.
Each panel measures 11 ft x 4 ft (3.4m x 1.2m).
The figures of the tapestry are rendered in an unmistakably modern, cartoon-like style, but it also follows in the tradition of Tudor and Jacobean canvas work embroidery. The panels are worked in gobelin stitc...

Saudi Arabia's House Of Cards

2010-11-02T12:24:02Z

...

Britain's queen making first visit to Ground Zero

2010-07-04T08:00:12Z

Queen Elizabeth II visiting Ground Zero, addressing UN for first time in half a century

Queen Elizabeth II will visit Ground Zero for the first time and make her first address to the U.N. General Assembly in over half a century when she arrives i...

Palace: Queen Elizabeth II to visit ground zero

2010-06-08T15:45:15Z

Palace: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will visit ground zero in New York as part of US trip

Buckingham Palace says that Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will visit the forme...

US admits queen's birthday blunder

2010-06-04T13:15:25Z

But will the 'special relationship suffer? US concedes Queen Elizabeth birthday gaffe

The State Department has conceded committing a diplomatic faux pas by sending birthday greetings to Britain's Queen ...

Fergie blames booze, cash woes

2010-06-01T16:15:46Z

Sarah Ferguson told US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey on Tuesday that alcohol and cash woes had pushed her to tell a reporter in a sting that she could "open any door you want" to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.

In an exclusive interview, the now purportedly cash-strapped Duchess of York, 50, said she had not s...

Booze made me do it, Fergie says

2010-06-01T01:15:38Z

Sarah Ferguson told US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey that she had been drinking when she told a reporter in a sting that she could "open any door you want" to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, People magazine said on Monday.

In an exclusive with the b...

Booze made me do it, Britain's Fergie says

2010-05-31T19:16:13Z

In an exclusive with the bill...

Duchess of York jokes about newspaper sting

2010-05-26T11:45:17Z

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Britain's Duchess of York joked on Wednesday in reference to being caught apparently offering to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew, saying she should learn from the clever characters in her children's books.

In ...

Free Speech Right Wing Republican Style

2010-10-27T07:01:25Z

...

Prince Charles' environment film to air in U.S.

2010-06-16T14:51:30Z

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, has made a film about climate change and attempts to find innovative solutions to global environmental problems that will be shown on U.S. television.

U.S. network Asia on Thursday strongly defended President Barack Obama against critics of his bow to Japan's Emperor Akihito, calling it a gesture of respect.

Admiral Timothy Keating, who retired ...

Today in History - Sept. 6

2010-04-16T10:34:50Z

On Sept. 5, 1972, Black September terrorists attacked the Israeli delegation at the Munich Olympic games

Today is Saturday, Sept. 5, the 248th day of 2009. There are 117 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Sept. 5, 1972, Black September terrorists attacked the Israeli delegation at the Munich Olympic games; 11 Israelis, five guerrillas and ...

Hawaii cultural destinations

2010-10-26T21:33:28Z

...

Japanese royals finish Canada tour, bound for Hawaii

2010-06-16T11:47:08Z

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wrapped up a 12-day Canadian tour Tuesday, flying from this western Canadian metropolis bound for the US island state of Hawaii.

At a final Canadian reception Tuesday the royal couple beamed and waved as some 3,000 people waved paper Japanese flags. And as with their previous...

Japan's emperor, empress arrive in Canada

2010-06-16T11:47:12Z

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Canada on Friday for a 11-day goodwill visit, the first since the emperor ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1989.

The royal couple was welcomed by Foreign Minister Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko left on Friday for a 15-day goodwill tour of Canada and Hawaii, with the ageing monarch revealing his personal attachment to both destinations.

A special plane carrying the royal couple wa...

Japanese Emperor to visit Canada in July: Harper

2010-04-16T11:50:02Z

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit Canada from July 3-14, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced.

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Canada's first diplomatic mission in J...

Ka'iulani: Hawaii's Island Rose

2010-10-26T20:37:13Z

...

All Hail Prince Harry!

2010-10-26T20:18:57Z

...

Prince and council of elders call for action on climate change

2010-10-21T10:14:21Z

...

Britain's Prince Harry to visit New York

2010-06-11T22:04:28Z

Prince Harry will travel to New York City this month on a high profile trip that will include a visit to ground zero and a charity polo match.

It will be the first time the 24-year-old royal has traveled to the United States since the death of his mother, Human Rights Watch called Tuesday on the United Arab Emirates to renounce the use of torture and launch a probe after a video appeared to show a royal family member mercilessly beating a man.

US network ABC last week broadcast a video it said showed Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a brother of Abu ...

Australia accused of trading principles for African UN support

2010-04-16T16:09:57Z

Australia's opposition accused the government Monday of being prepared to trade its principles for African support of its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has proclaimed a mission to take a more activist "middle power" role in world af...

Saudi Arabia: From Bras in Bondage to Reform

2010-10-21T09:26:46Z

...

Madoff 'couldn't happen' in Britain: Prince Andrew

2010-04-16T15:05:33Z

Prince Andrew, Britain's special representative for international trade and investment, told the Financial Times on Friday that the alleged fraud by US financier Bernard Madoff could never happen in London.

"Madoff couldn't happen in

A succession plan, or two

2010-11-02T12:54:25Z

...

Canada's first black governor general congratulates Obama

2010-04-16T15:15:32Z

Canada's Governor General Michaelle Jean on Tuesday congratulated Barack Obama on his inauguration as 44th president of the United States, and the first African-American president of the United States.

Obama's inauguration "is a historic moment that we are joyfully ce...

Was the Abdication necessary?

2010-04-16T17:29:14Z

THE EAGLE & THE CROWN by Frank Prochaska Yale, £25, pp. 240, ISBN 9780300141955

At least one very startling claim emerges in this study: according to her own account, Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, never consummated her first two marriages. Indeed, she never allowed any man (before the Duke of Windsor, presumably) to touch her 'below the Mason-Dixon line'. If this is t...

Saudi crown prince convalescing in Morocco

2010-04-16T17:31:01Z

Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz is convalescing in Morocco after undergoing six weeks of medical tests in the United States, the official SPA news agency said on Saturday.

Prince Sultan, 81, who has served as the oil kingpin's defence minister since 1963, arrived in Agadir

The Goring would be Miss Marple's favouite

2010-10-21T10:29:05Z

...

Citizen journalist

2010-04-16T14:21:29Z

Welcome, subscribers, to my weekly mailout, except for last week, when I didn't do one. I needed a rest.

Those of you who were with me as I blogged the US election will know what an exciting, rewarding, exhausting and ultimately physically damaging journey it was.

If you forgot to log on, you can still relive the experience at www.benlagenlive.com.

There is also a cut-down version featuring just a few highlight...

Princes pay tribute to killed comrade

2010-04-16T12:53:10Z

Princes William and Harry have expressed their deep sorrow on the death of a former comrade serving in Afghanistan.

Trooper James Munday, from Birmingham was killed in an explosion while on routine patrol about 14 miles north of Forward Operating...

Black Tie

2010-10-14T12:43:48Z

Black tie is a dress code for semi-formal evening events. For a man, black tie stipulates a dinner jacket (tuxedo in Canada and the U.S.). Currently, black tie is worn to many types of social functions; a woman's corresponding evening dress ranges from a conservative cocktail dress to the long evening gown determined per current fashion, local custom, and the occasion's time.

The typical black-tie jacket is single-breasted, ventless, a...

The Zen of Japanese Rain Chains

2010-10-12T00:57:26Z

What if you could take an ordinary, functional object and transform it into a work of art? What if that object could add a peaceful, Feng Shui feeling to your home? Meet the Japanese rain chain, an object that can turn your rain gutters into a water sculpture.

Rain chains are an alternative to the traditional gutter downspout, which controls the flow of water from your roof to the ground. Traditional downspouts are a square tube running along the side or corner of your house. A rain ch...

On one's uppers! Down to her last £320m, a Palace official complains that the Queen has to 'patch and mend'

2010-10-21T10:16:54Z

...

On one's uppers - Palace official complains that the Queen has to 'patch and mend'

2010-10-21T10:16:53Z

...

Cost of Queen to taxpayer hits £40million as royal family is hit by the credit crunch

2010-10-21T10:16:51Z

...

UC Berkeley to help build grad school in Saudi Arabia

2010-10-19T11:29:32Z

...

Why the U.S Dollar Won't Die

2010-10-19T11:20:01Z

...

Queen Elizabeth to Visit Jamestown

2010-09-10T18:52:16Z

Queen Elizabeth II said Wednesday that she and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will visit Virginia in May to mark the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement.

...

Today in history - Oct. 16

2010-09-10T04:03:12Z

On Oct. 16, 1987, Rescuers Freed Jessica McClure, an 18-Month-Old Girl, From an Abandoned Well

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 16, the 289th day of 2007. There are 76 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Oct. 16, 1987, a 58 1/2-hour drama in Midland, Texas, ended happily as rescuers freed Jessica McClure, an 18-month-old girl trapped in an ...

Today in history - Sept. 5

2010-09-09T18:37:03Z

50 Years Ago, on Sept. 5, 1957, the Novel "On the Road," by Jack Kerouac, Was First Published

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 5, the 248th day of 2007. There are 117 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

Fifty years ago, on Sept. 5, 1957, the novel "On the Road," by Jack Kerouac, was first published by Viking Press.

On this dat...

The lure of the conspiracy theory

2010-10-16T08:03:58Z

...

British queen, American vice president tour Jamestown

2010-09-08T22:58:17Z

To some in her own country, Queen Elizabeth II may be a bit old hat.

Her events are completely routine _ flower shows, the races and her two birthday celebrations, in April and June. And the crowds who make it a point to see the queen there either adore her, look at her as an icon of British traditionalism or are foreigners eager to snap a few token pictures.

But on her current trip to the U.S. special envoy on North Korea, Stephen Bosworth before their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Jung Yeon-je, Pool)

Hawks Kings Basketball

2011-01-04T22:01:19Z

Sacramento Kings forward Carl Landry, center, goes to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford, right, as Hawks center Zaza Pachulia, left, of Columbus Blue Jackets' R.J. Umberger (18) scores a goal against Phoenix Coyotes' Ilya Bryzgalov, of Russia, during the second period of an Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger, left, shoots over Iowa forward Andrew Brommer during the first half of an NCAA college basketb...

Archdiocese Bankruptcy

2011-01-04T16:30:52Z

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki answers questions at a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in St. Francis, Wis. Listecki said the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee is directing its attorneys to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, saying that pending sexual-abuse lawsuits have left it w...

The latest in United States

Victoria's secret: Late queen's bloomers bust record

Saudi crown prince has surgery in US: consulate

Even the Queen faces funding squeeze in austerity Britain

Police arrest woman in News of the World phone hack probe

Swazi teachers demand king assets freeze

Thailand charges US citizen with insulting royals

Politics replaces pomp on Obama's Britain visit

Obamas get royal welcome at Buckingham Palace

Prince Charles begins US visit on city farm

Royal Wedding frenzy turns off many Americans

US media ramps up royal wedding coverage

Royal wedding brings stardom to super-collector

Bahrain opposition drops pre-conditions for talks

Royal wedding grips U.S. TV, but who to play Kate?

Editorial Roundup: Excerpts From Recent Editorials

Prince Charles lacks Commonwealth 'respect': WikiLeaks

Arabs 'urged US to air strike Iran', WikiLeaks reveals

Arabs 'urged US strikes on Iran'

Arab rulers 'asked for Iran attack'

Leaked cables 'include royal claim'

Prince William's fiancee has famous US relatives

What is Treason?

Champagne and Polo with Prince Harry

What Is a Jurisdiction?

beavers from space and royal beaches

New World Tapestry

Saudi Arabia's House Of Cards

Britain's queen making first visit to Ground Zero

Palace: Queen Elizabeth II to visit ground zero

US admits queen's birthday blunder

Fergie blames booze, cash woes

Booze made me do it, Fergie says

Booze made me do it, Britain's Fergie says

Duchess of York jokes about newspaper sting

Free Speech Right Wing Republican Style

Prince Charles' environment film to air in U.S.

Today in History - Sept. 6

Hawaii cultural destinations

Japanese royals finish Canada tour, bound for Hawaii

Japan's emperor, empress arrive in Canada

Japanese Emperor to visit Canada in July: Harper

Ka'iulani: Hawaii's Island Rose

All Hail Prince Harry!

Prince and council of elders call for action on climate change

Britain's Prince Harry to visit New York

Australia accused of trading principles for African UN support

Saudi Arabia: From Bras in Bondage to Reform

Madoff 'couldn't happen' in Britain: Prince Andrew

A succession plan, or two

Canada's first black governor general congratulates Obama

Was the Abdication necessary?

Saudi crown prince convalescing in Morocco

The Goring would be Miss Marple's favouite

Citizen journalist

Princes pay tribute to killed comrade

Black Tie

The Zen of Japanese Rain Chains

On one's uppers! Down to her last £320m, a Palace official complains that the Queen has to 'patch and mend'

On one's uppers - Palace official complains that the Queen has to 'patch and mend'

Cost of Queen to taxpayer hits £40million as royal family is hit by the credit crunch

UC Berkeley to help build grad school in Saudi Arabia

Why the U.S Dollar Won't Die

Queen Elizabeth to Visit Jamestown

Today in history - Oct. 16

Today in history - Sept. 5

The lure of the conspiracy theory

British queen, American vice president tour Jamestown

Hawks Kings Basketball

Archdiocese Bankruptcy